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Soho Theatre Walthamstow is a major new London venue, restored from the much-loved 1930s former Granada building and will feature a 960-seat auditorium with studio spaces. 

The theatre will house the best UK and international comedy, theatre, cabaret and panto, and a lively creative engagement programme.  

Beautifully restored from the 1930s former Granada by Waltham Forest Council in partnership with Soho Theatre, the new venue includes a refurbished Grade II listed auditorium, brand-new studio spaces, backstage facilities, four bars, and a restaurant. 

Soho Theatre Walthamstow announces opening and initial programming
Artist impression of Soho Theatre Walthamstow

Recreating the buzzing atmosphere of Soho Theatre Bar within a magnificent heritage surrounding, Soho Theatre will run the food and drinks offer in-house, featuring Neon, Soho Theatre’s own lager with Adnams and East London Brewery brewed locally in the borough.  

Soho Theatre Walthamstow A local theatre with a national profile. The tehatre will feature a world-class lineup for audiences from across London and beyond and will sit alongside Soho Theatre Dean Street as the iconic central London venue celebrates 25 years at the forefront of cutting-edge new theatre, comedy and cabaret.

Soho Theatre Walthamstow announces opening and initial programming
(L-R) Sam Hansford, Rosie Jones and Mark Godfrey outside the front of the new Soho Theatre Walthamstow on the day of the announcement of opening and program plans, Soho Theatre Walthamstow, London. Picture Date: 23rd January 2025. Photo Credit: © DavidJensen

Highlights of the inaugural programme include a new monthly comedy lineup show called Neon Nights featuring Thanyia Moore, Sara Pascoe, Rosie Jones, Janine Harouni, Larry Dean, Catherine Bohart, Jin Hao Li, Olga Koch, Sindhu Vee, Tom Davis, Josh Pugh and Phil Wang.

New work that has been announced from Bryony Kimmings and pantomime for all ages (Soho-style) returns to the historic stage after more than 70  years with a brand new Aladdin & The Magic Lamp written and directed by Susie McKenna.

UnroyalVariety (Credit Phillip Prokopiou)

Shows also announced today include: Natalie Palamides, Dara O’Briain, Suzi Ruffell, Kiell Smith-Bynoe & friends, The Tiger Lillies, Stamptown, Biswa Kalyan Rath, Josh Johnson, Josie Long, Rahul Dua, The Un-Royal Variety, Brown Girls Do It Too, John Early, Sarah Keyworth, and TiFo Football Podcast live. 

Additional creative activities will include heritage building tours and cross-borough events, such as a two-day film festival celebrating Walthamstow’s contribution to the world of cinema from the year 1800 to the present day. This festival, organized by The McGuffin Film Society, takes place on 28 June and 26 July, marking the society’s return to its original venue after a 22-year absence. More events and details will be announced. 

Soho Theatre is committed to its mission of creating new work, nurturing creative talent, and engaging diverse audiences. It has a long-standing tradition of programming queer theatre. The upcoming events will include a variety of activities such as taster workshops, full-length Local Labs, In Conversation events, Write Nights (drop-in sessions for playwrights), and The Makers Lab (a program for solo artists or small ensembles to develop innovative new work).

Soho Theatre Walthamstow announces opening and initial programming
Alessandro Babalola, Rosie Jones, and Mark Godfrey inside the refurbished Soho Theatre Walthamstow on the day of the announcement of opening and program plans, Soho Theatre Walthamstow, London. Picture Date: 23rd January 2025. Photo Credit: © DavidJensen

Young people can get involved in several initiatives, including the Primary Playwrights programme for writing their first play across five local schools, the launch of Soho Theatre’s Panto Young Company in collaboration with Susie McKenna, and NT Connections, which offers opportunities to perform new work by UK writers. Additionally, Soho Theatre continues its Future Formed training programme with Waltham Forest Council, providing access to roles in tech, producing, and backstage through training and paid placements.

Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday, 30 January, at www.sohotheatre.com, with 15,000 tickets for £15 available for locals throughout the first year.

Soho Theatre Walthamstow, 186 Hoe Street, London E17 4QH, United Kingdom.
Website: sohotheatre.com / sohotheatre.com/walthamstow
Box Office: 020 7478 0100
Socials:
Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @sohotheatre 
Bsky: @sohotheatre.bsky.social 

All images supplied.

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