Soho Theatre Walthamstow Announces Official Opening and 2025 Season
The highly anticipated Soho Theatre Walthamstow, located in the restored Granada building in north London, is set to open its doors in May 2025, marking the debut of its 960-seat auditorium, alongside studio spaces, bars, and a restaurant.
Opening Season Highlights
The inaugural season offers a mix of theatre, comedy, live podcasts, and cabaret performances:
Comedy:
Neon Nights, a new monthly comedy show featuring top comedians like Sara Pascoe, Rosie Jones, Larry Dean, and Phil Wang.
Stand-up performances by Dara O’Briain, Josie Long, Sarah Keyworth, and international stars Rahul Dua and Biswa Kalyan Rath.
Theatre and Cabaret:
Natalie Palamides’ Weer: The first show at the venue, running 2–10 May.
Bryony Kimmings’ Bogwitch: Her first new work in five years.
Jonny Woo’s Un-Royal Variety Performance: A unique twist on the classic variety show.
The Tiger Lillies: Cabaret meets avant-garde music in their signature style.
Pantomime:
Aladdin and The Magic Lamp, written and directed by Susie McKenna, marks the return of pantomime to the venue after more than 70 years.
Podcasts and Film Festival:
A live recording of the acclaimed Brown Girls Do It Too podcast.
A film festival celebrating Walthamstow’s cinematic legacy.
The Granada Building
Opened in 1930, the Granada building is a Grade II listed architectural gem, famed for hosting legendary acts like The Beatles and Dusty Springfield. After years of disuse, it has been lovingly restored by Waltham Forest Council in collaboration with Soho Theatre, preserving its historic charm while adding modern amenities.
Community Impact and Accessibility
Local Access: 15,000 tickets priced at £15 will be made available to local residents in the first year.
Education and Engagement: Workshops, educational programmes, and theatre-making opportunities for young people will run alongside the main season.
Creative Development: The venue aims to foster community involvement and culture-led regeneration.
Co-executive directors Mark Godfrey and Sam Hansford stated:
“Decades in the making, this iconic building with a remarkable history is reinvented as a fantastic new venue for the future... None of this would be possible without the passionate grassroots campaign to save it, and the commitment of Waltham Forest Council to invest in it.”
Tickets and Opening
Tickets for the opening season will go on sale on 30 January 2025.
Stay tuned for further announcements as Soho Theatre Walthamstow prepares to open its doors and become a vibrant cultural hub in north London.
