London's historic Soho Theatre reopens after major renovation - first look photos

A historic theatre in London has undergone a major makeover, including the refurbishment of its Grade II-listed auditorium.

Soho Theatre in Walthamstow has been beautifully restored to its former glory. The major 960-seat venue includes brand-new studio spaces, backstage facilities, four bars, and a restaurant.

The renovation has been a collaborative project between Waltham Forest Council and the Soho Theatre.

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.

To celebrate the opening, Soho Theatre Walthamstow is 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.

Design architect Fred Pilbrow said: “This beautiful, restored space is testament to the belief, determination, and commitment of the amazing local community. We were privileged to work on this project from the very beginning, initially pro bono, to support the team in championing how this unique building could be successfully converted to a live performance venue of national importance.

“Waltham Forest Council, inspired by the public support, backed this vision and as a result the completed Soho Theatre Walthamstow will enrich the culture, economy and heritage of the town centre for many years to come.”

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.

In 2003, the building was sold to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, and for more than a decade, it lay empty as they sought planning permission to turn it into a church, while it fell into disrepair.

Concerned about the loss of this much-loved cultural space, local grassroots groups, including McGuffin Film Society and Save Walthamstow Cinema, led a passionate campaign against losing its use as an entertainment venue and to preserve its heritage. In 2010, the Waltham Forest Cinema Trust joined the campaign, a newly established local group to bring a clear new vision for the venue’s viable future, working closely with Soho Theatre.

Joining forces with Waltham Forest Council, they successfully demonstrated to a Public Inquiry that the venue could be reinvented as a new theatre for live performance, with a focus on comedy, panto, and theatre. This led to the church’s planning application being decisively rejected for the final time.

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.”

Co-Executive Directors of Soho Theatre Walthamstow Mark Godfrey and Sam Hansford said: “With artists and audiences at its heart and a dynamic social enterprise ethos, Soho Theatre Walthamstow will create countless joyful, memory-making experiences for many people.

“Alongside the well-documented cultural, social, and wellbeing benefits, this investment in cultural infrastructure also delivers clear economic value – speaking directly to the wider priorities of culture-led growth and, through our international collaborations, to soft power gains. We’re incredibly grateful to the campaigners, to Waltham Forest Council, and to everyone who helped make this vision a reality. We can’t wait to welcome you in.”