The Soho Theatre has always been a strong supporter of London’s fringe theatre scene…
…now it’s literally getting a theatre on London’s fringe.
Soho Theatre Walthamstow finally has a confirmed opening date of May 2025, and is set to be the biggest comedy & entertainment venue in outer London. That is, unless another thousand-seater playhouse suddenly springs up somewhere in Zone 3 between now and then. And bookings are now open for their first run of comedy, theatre shows and more – and locals can get their hands on £15 tickets.
The theatre’s taking over a grand, Grade-II* listed 1930s cinema clothed in the beautifully soaring Art Deco architecture of the era. Over the years that venue, known as The Granada, has been a mainstay of the local cinema scene (Alfred Hitchcock used to go to the pictures there in his formative years), as well as hosting concerts for the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, John Coltrane, and dozens of others. Basically, the pedigree it’s bringing to the table is more or less unbeatable.
Luckily, Soho Theatre Walthamstow’s opening line-up of acts seems to hold up to that illustrious history. As with the Soho incarnation of the theatre, the programming here will span comedy, theatre, cabaret and even panto – and they’ve announced some fantastic shows to launch the new space.
Highlights include…
- A new monthly series of mixed bill comedy, Neon Nights, featuring the likes of Thanyia Moore, Sara Pascoe, Rosie Jones, Catherine Bohart, Jin Hao Li, Olga Koch, and Phil Wang;
- A brand new show from Bryony Kimmings, whose dazzlingly creative ways of dealing with difficult topics like depression and cancer have stayed in our memories long after the curtains fell;
- Solo stand-up from big names like Dara O’Briain, Sarah Keyworth; and Natalie Palamides (whose show WEER depicts a relationship in which she plays both partners);
- Live podcasting from the acclaimed duo behind Brown Girls Do It Too;
- An alternative variety show of dazzling acts spearheaded by the multi-talented Jonny Woo; and
- Surreal, unpredictable, no-holds-barred comedy nights courtesy of the wildly hilarious Stamptown collective.
What a gorgeous bunch.
When the work is finally finished, Soho Theatre Walthamstow will boast a thousand-seater main auditorium, plus four bars, a restaurant, performer studios and a community events space. Speaking of, they’ve also planned a series of community focussed outreach programs, with planned discounts for locals over the first year, and theatrical activities for local schools, too. That’s alongside a varied standalone events programme, from a local film festival to drop-in sessions for playwrights and an ongoing series of talks and workshops.
Which should be highly inspiring if you’re planning to reopen an art deco cinema any time soon.
NOTE: The Soho Theatre Walthamstow is set to open in May 2025. Tickets for the opening run of shows are now on sale, with thousands of £15 tickets available for locals. You can see what’s on, and book, on the Soho Theatre Walthamstow website.
The Soho Theatre Walthamstow | 186 Hoe St, E17 4QH
Did you know that London already has a bunch of theatres that are ALREADY OPEN? Well, it does, and we have all the best shows in our guide to what’s on in London’s theatres right now…
