Soho Theatre Walthamstow set to open in 2025 with a diverse lineup and community focus
Soho Theatre Walthamstow is scheduled to open its doors in May 2025, marking the launch of a major new 960-seat venue that aims to bring a diverse array of performances to East London. The theatre, a restoration of the 1930s former Granada, is located in Walthamstow and plans to offer a rich programme including UK and international comedy, theatre, cabaret and panto.
The opening season at Soho Theatre Walthamstow features a lineup that includes Natalie Palamides with her show WEER, Dara O’Brien, Suzi Ruffell and local comedian Mark Watson. The venue will also host performances by US comedian John Early and a new monthly comedy lineup show titled Neon Nights, featuring well-known comedians such as Sara Pascoe and Rosie Jones.
Additionally, the theatre has commissioned Bryony Kimmings to present her first show in five years, Bogwitch, which will open in October. The season will also include a performance by the cabaret group The Tiger Lillies. In a nod to tradition, the venue will host a modern rendition of the pantomime Aladdin & The Magic Lamp, directed by Susie McKenna, marking the return of panto to the Walthamstow stage after more than 70 years.
The venue, developed in partnership with Waltham Forest Council, features a refurbished Grade II* listed auditorium and new studio spaces, alongside four bars and a restaurant. This development not only seeks to attract audiences from across London but also aims to be a central part of the local community.
To celebrate the opening, Soho Theatre Walthamstow will offer 15,000 tickets at £15 each for the first year to local residents, workers and students as part of its community engagement efforts. The theatre will also host heritage building tours and a two-day film festival celebrating Walthamstow’s contribution to cinema.
The project has been a long time in the making, with the venue previously serving as a cinema before closing its doors in 2003. A community campaign led by the McGuffin Film Society and other local groups was pivotal in preserving the building for entertainment use. The restoration was carried out by Willmott Dixon Interiors, with design input from Bond Bryan Architects and others, ensuring that the venue’s historic character was maintained while updating it for contemporary use.
Dame Heather Rabbatts, Chair of Soho Theatre, expressed excitement about the theatre’s role in the cultural landscape, stating that the new venue will allow them to present world-class artists to larger audiences. Mark Godfrey and Sam Hansford, Co-Executive Directors of Soho Theatre Walthamstow, highlighted the venue’s potential to support cultural growth and regeneration in the area.
The opening of Soho Theatre Walthamstow is not just a significant addition to London’s cultural scene but also a testament to the power of community advocacy in preserving and repurposing historic spaces for new artistic ventures.
The editorial unit
Photo: Natalie Palamides’s WEER, courtesy of Soho Theatre Walthamstow
For further information, visit the theatre’s website here.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
RSS