ABOUT US

The Little Theatre is home to the TOADS Theatre Company, which converted the derelict St Mark’s Church into the theatre you know today.

TOADS Theatre Company present a different play every month of the year, and the theatre also programmes external hires for one-off concerts or other productions. Find out more about the history of the company below.

You can also join us as a Member using the link below!

Membership Form

1944

Toads (Torbay Operatic Amateur Dramatic Society) was formed in 1944, and for many years performed in the ‘Concert Hall’ up the road, in Babbacombe

1957

By 1957, we had put on 100 shows and the society was thriving, but we did not own our own venue, instead putting on shows at what is now the Babbacombe Theatre, which was owned by the council. This included very successful summer shows that ran for weeks at a time.

TOAD HALL

Toads eventually bought a small building known as ‘Toad Hall’, where costumes and props were stored, but still huge parts of the profits of shows went in hiring the theatre and it was a big effort to have to build sets and transport things to set up shows.

TIME TO FIND A NEW HOME

By the early 1980s ambitious members decided it was a good idea to try and find a permanent space for the society and searched high and low until the derelict church you are now sat in, was found.

1985

A massive fundraising effort was begun, which included a sell-out run of the play ‘A Bedful of Foreigners’, which ran for 17 weeks over the summer of 1985, and raised £40,000.00 towards the purchase of the Little Theatre.

1988

The Little Theatre opened in 1988 with the aptly chosen play ‘Great Expectations’, which was also Toads 400^thproduction.

DEVON YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE

Devon Young People’s Theatre is delighted to be offering group LAMDA classes at The Little Theatre starting in May 2022. Students ages 8 to 18 will rehearse and perform a selection of scenes or a short play for examination. They will receive an accredited certificate from LAMDA and complete a LAMDA grade. UCAS points are awarded for grades 6 to 8.

For more information please visit
www.dyptheatre.com

HIRE A SPACE

TOADS Theatre Company has a number of facilities available for public hire.

REHEARSAL ROOMS
There are two large upstairs rooms, carpeted, light and airy with central heating available. Between 20 and 30 people can be seated comfortably in each room. There are both kitchen and toilet facilities situated downstairs. The minimum booking is for two hours, with extra time charged at an hourly rate.

COFFEE LOUNGE
This is a downstairs carpeted room with seating and small tables which can be re-arranged. There are facilities to make drinks and serve light refreshments by arrangement. A maximum of 30 people can be seated in this room. The minimum booking is for two hours, with extra hours charged at an hourly rate.

BAR
This is a downstairs room with fixed banquette seating, and chairs, stools and tables that can be re-arranged. It is carpeted and has much of the original character of the building. Please note that our alcohol license only applies during performances.
The minimum booking is for two hours, with extra hours charged at an hourly rate.

AUDITORIUM
This is situated downstairs and can be accessed by a side ramped door if necessary. It seats up to 240 people, in fully raked seating. Available for use are the stage, in front of tabs, and any lighting that is already set. Toilets are situated in the foyer, and refreshments can be supplied at an extra charge by negotiation with the catering manager. The auditorium may be booked for:

• 1/2 day to include normal lighting, with no re-setting of rigs.
• 1 day to include normal lighting, with no re-setting of rigs.

Extra lighting is available by negotiation with our Lighting Technician.
A large, free car park is available for our guests.

PERFORMANCE HIRE includes:
• The Little Theatre Box Office facilities, which are open as detailed in the left-hand section of this web page.
• Bar being open and staffed by TOADS’ Theatre Company for each performance.
• Coffee shop being open and ice creams sold by TOADS’ Theatre Company each performance.
• A TOADS’ House Manager and Stage Manager in attendance for each performance.

Extras that you will need to allow for:

• Credit /debit card charges on tickets – 3.5% of price of tickets sold by card.
• Attendance of technical staff at dress/technical rehearsals if necessary.
• Hire of any equipment not in theatre stock.

If you would like to book a space at our theatre, please contact the theatre, with relevant details