First programming is announced today for Soho Theatre Walthamstow, a major new 960-seat venue opening in May 2025 that will house the very best UK and international comedy, theatre, cabaret and panto, alongside 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 (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.
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. The opening season at Soho Theatre Walthamstow boasts an impressive lineup of comedy and cabaret performances. Natalie Palamides returns to London with “WEER”, and solo shows from Dara O’Briain, Sarah Keyworth, and local award-winning comedian Mark Watson are set to entertain.
The venue will host the US alt-comedy superstar and Emmy-nominated comedian John Early, with Ahir Shah (who wrapped up his Soho Theatre India tour this last weekend), Suzi Ruffell, and Josie Long also stopping by on their respective tours. The new lineup show, “Neon Nights,” will be a great night out featuring a stellar cast of performers, many who have been regulars to Soho Theatre Dean Street over the years, including 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. International acts Rahul Dua, Dale Elliott, Biswa Kalyan Rath, and Jack Tucker will perform their largest UK shows to date. Additionally, the theatre has commissioned Bryony Kimmings to present her first show in five years as “Bogwitch” opens this October, and renowned cabaret stars The Tiger Lillies will deliver a specially curated Soho-themed performance for one night only. The inaugural pantomime, “Aladdin & The Magic Lamp” written and directed by award-winning actor, director, and writer Susie McKenna, promises festive fun. Adding to the excitement, the season includes the live version of the critically acclaimed podcast “Brown Girls Do It Too,” where Poppy and Rubina bring their candid discussions on British Asian women’s experiences to the stage.
Alt-comedy legends Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington will present “On Cinema Live,” bringing the full-stage show of their popular web series and podcast to the UK for the first time. The season also features CHRISTEENE, in an all-new, powerfully imagined theatrical backed by band and dancers. Additionally, Jonny Woo’s Un-Royal Variety Performance will offer a subversive take on the traditional variety show, showcasing a diverse range of acts and talents. For further programme details see listings in Notes to Editors. Locally, to celebrate the opening, Soho Theatre Walthamstow will offer 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. Other areas of creative engagement 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 1800 – the present day (28th June & 26th July) curated by The McGuffin Film Society which returns to its home venue after a 22-year absence (more events and details to be announced soon).
Aligning with Soho Theatre’s mission to create new work, nurture creative talent and engage diverse audiences, will be a line-up of taster workshops, full-length Local Labs, In Conversation events, Write Night (playwrights drop-in sessions) and The Makers Lab (a programme for solo artists or small ensembles to devise innovative new work). Young people will be able to get involved through various schemes including the Primary Playwrights programme which supports young people (across five schools in the borough) to write their first play; the launch of Soho Theatre’s Panto Young Company, in partnership with Susie McKenna who will work with local performing arts schools; NT Connections which will give young people the chance to perform new work on stage by some of the UK’s most exciting writers and the continuation of Soho Theatre’s work with training programme Future Formed, with Waltham Forest Council, which supports access for young people into the cultural sector through training and paid placements in tech, producing and backstage.
Soho Theatre Walthamstow is a vibrant new theatre steeped in a rich history. A performance venue since 1897, in 1930 the site was redeveloped and opened with exteriors designed by Cecil Masey and extraordinary ornate interior decoration by Theodore Komisarjevsky, inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. Majestic and awe-inspiring, the new Granada hosted comedy, panto, drag, music and film. From the mid-1950s artists including The Beatles, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbinson, Dusty Springfield, The Who, The Ronettes, Chuck Berry, Duke Ellington and the Rolling Stones performed there, and a pantomime was presented each Christmas. The last live performance took place in 1973 and the Granada became a cinema, changing owners until it became known as the EMD Cinema sadly closing its doors in 2003.
- Mia Walker
