Soho Theatre

About the charity

Founded in 1969 by Verity Bargate and Fred Proud, Soho Theatre Company performed in New Compton St, Soho, before moving on to the legendary Soho Poly Theatre where it remained for eighteen years presenting new plays, firstly at lunchtimes and then moving to an evening programme. Its early years saw the first works of such playwrights as Sue Townsend, Hanif Kureishi, Timberlake Wertenbaker, Tony Marchant, Pam Gems and many more.

In 1990, the Company left the Soho Poly and produced at venues including the Royal Court, Riverside Studios and ICA before taking up residence in the ex-ILEA Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone. Over a remarkable three years, the Company re-launched itself, expanding the writers’ development programme and premiering the work of over 35 new writers.

In 1995, the residency ended and Soho Theatre began the search for a new, permanent home. This was to take five years and, in spring 2000, the Company completed one of the country’s most innovative Lottery projects when it opened the new Soho Theatre in Dean Street.

Today the Company owns the freehold to Soho Theatre and leases its restaurant to Café Lazeez. Situated in the heart of London’s West End, it is a state of the art venue with theatre, studio and ancillary space and is home to Soho Theatre’s diverse range of new plays, comedy, writers’ development work and an innovative community and education programme.

Soho Theatre presents the best new work for the broadest range of audiences, with challenging and entertaining theatre, a late night programme of comedy and cabaret, and a vibrant talks programme.

We discover and nurture new writers from a wide range of backgrounds through our Writers’ Centre and through Soho Connect, our thriving education department.

Soho Theatre's auditorium seats 144-160 people on comfortably cushioned benches. The seating is unreserved and arranged on a high rake which means that the sight-lines are excellent wherever you sit.

Unlike a conventional studio space, the stage has an impressive depth and scale and can be completely transformed with each production. Sets have ranged from the minimal to a two-story house, a barn and even a wrestling ring. Whether you're coming to see a play, comedy or join in a writers' event, you can expect a smart but informal atmosphere in a contemporary and intimate setting.

The Company is based in its own venue, Soho Theatre, in Dean Street in the heart of London's West End.