Stunning interior and exterior photography is released today of the new Soho Theatre Walthamstow as final preparations are made to London’s newest venue ahead of the inaugural production Natalie Palamides: WEER which opens on Friday 2 May.
This major new 960-seat venue will house the very best UK and international comedy, theatre, cabaret and panto, alongside a lively creative engagement programme. Beautifully restored from the 1930’s 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 (Main Foyer, Ziggurat, Cross Hall and Circle), and a restaurant.
Recreating the buzzing atmosphere of Soho Theatre Bar within a magnificent heritage surrounding, Soho Theatre will run the food & beverage offer in-house, featuring Neon, Soho Theatre’s own lager with Adnams and East London Brewery brewed locally in the borough, while Curry On Naanstop, one of Britain’s top takeaways, will serve Mumbai street food.
A local theatre with a national profile, Soho Theatre Walthamstow will feature a world-class line-up 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.
Highlights of the inaugural programme include new monthly comedy line-up show 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. There will be new work from Bryony Kimmings, pantomime for all ages (Soho-style) with Aladdin & The Magic Lamp written and directed by Susie McKenna, plus shows including Tim Minchin; Dara Ó Briain, Suzi Ruffell, Kiell Smith-Bynoe & friends, The Tiger Lillies, Josh Johnson, Josie Long, John Early, Sarah Keyworth, Stamptown, Biswa Kalyan Rath, Rahul Dua, The Un-Royal Variety, Brown Girls Do It Too, TiFo Football Podcast live and much much more.
Locally, to celebrate the opening, Soho Theatre Walthamstow are releasing 15,000 tickets for £15 across the first year of shows – up to May 2026 – to those who live, work or study in the borough as part of Soho Theatre’s partnership with Waltham Forest Council. A lively and eclectic creative engagement programme includes activities for all ages from music tech sessions for young creatives to writing workshops for anyone aged 16 to 100, storytelling fun for little ones, theatre sessions for older residents and a whole range of taster workshops for aspiring adult artists who want to try their hand at comedy, cabaret, drag or playwriting.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted that Soho Theatre Walthamstow has breathed new life into this historic London venue. With a world-class comedy line up alongside a creative programme for the local community, the theatre is set to become a huge asset – not just for Walthamstow but London as a whole. It’s a fantastic legacy from Waltham Forest’s year as my very first London Borough of Culture, and an excellent example of the power of culture to transform areas and inspire communities.”
