History

Sheringham Little Theatre is one of North Norfolk's best-loved entertainment venues and occupies a building that dates back to 1897. Originally constructed as a community hall and meeting venue, it hosted concerts, dances, lectures, and social events for local residents. As Sheringham grew as a popular seaside resort, the building evolved into an important cultural centre for the town.

The venue entered a new chapter in 1914 when silent films began to be shown there, eventually becoming known as The Picture House. With the arrival of sound cinema, new technology was installed in 1930, and the building became one of Sheringham's main cinemas. In the late 1950s it was renamed The Empire Cinema, before closing as a cinema in 1960. Later that same year, it reopened as Sheringham Little Theatre, beginning the tradition of live theatre performances that continues today.

Since becoming a theatre, the venue has gained a reputation for its professional productions, community involvement, and one of the country's few remaining summer repertory seasons, which run annually from July to September. Operated by the Little Theatre Society charity since 1973, the theatre has undergone several renovations and improvements, including major refurbishments supported by lottery funding and local fundraising. Today, Sheringham Little Theatre hosts drama, music, comedy, film screenings, pantomimes, youth theatre productions, and community events, making it one of Norfolk's most important cultural venues.

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