Wigan Little Theatre

Wigan Little Theatre was founded in 1943 when a small group of theatre enthusiasts established a drama society at 56a Market Street. They performed three plays annually in a local church hall until the end of World War II. After the war, the group sought a permanent venue and found a derelict cinema, the Alliance Picture House, on Crompton Street. Originally built in 1893 as a Salvation Army citadel, the building was transformed by volunteer labour due to post-war construction restrictions. Volunteers reworked the building, creating a foyer, dressing rooms, a wardrobe department, and extending the stage to increase seating to 250. The theatre opened in 1948 with She Stoops to Conquer and…