Q&A on our plans

Tell me about Soho Theatre and what you do?
From our roots as a small but influential fringe theatre we built our West End venue nearly twenty years ago. Soho operate as a charity and social enterprise and are now one of London’s busiest theatres showing award-winning theatre, comedy and cabaret. We have three performance spaces, a buzzing bar and annual audiences of over 180,000. Our work includes the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and identifying and nurturing new talent plus working with big names. We also run education, participation and talent development for people of all ages. 

You live locally, as does your Creative Director David Luff. What other connections does Soho Theatre have with the borough?
We supported the Council on the previous planning issues around the Granada and with the Council’s support have worked within schools and colleges, with a local ‘Soho Young Company’ of performers, and in community projects across the borough’s parks. 

With the Council owning the Granada, what will your role be?
We will operate it under a long-term agreement with them and deliver a year-round programme, making special discounts and priority booking available to local residents. Education and community participation programmes will be provided and we’ll work with local schools and other groups. 

Although live entertainment featured regularly in the past, the building was predominantly a cinema?
It will primarily present the finest comedy from the UK and internationally. A whole range of other performance will be presented, including theatre, panto, music, community events, circus or screenings. It would be a brilliant space to see a big film too, or share an experience such as the opening ceremony of the Olympics. We would be very open to hearing from others interested in putting on special interest screenings or any other areas for the programme to consider. 

What else will people be able to do there?
Take part in workshops, talks or take a heritage tour. Eat or drink. Families and young people will be welcome. People may want to use the foyer area during the day to meet for a coffee, chat with friends or get some work done. 

Will any lost features be restored? For example the large parapet outside and amazing decorative details in the foyer?
The Council’s architects and heritage advisers will look carefully at this. Soho work with the Theatre’s Trust who will be knowledgeable and supportive and we would welcome thoughts from anyone who has any further information or background on the building. 

Many campaigned to save the building, particularly local people. A feeling of ‘emotional ownership’ prevails. How will Soho reflect the local connection?
This is really important. We want the building to become a ‘local theatre with a national profile’. We won’t get full access to it for at least three years but we’re keen to talk to local groups and residents as we start planning and to work with other cultural organisations and groups without replicating anything. If anyone has any thoughts, ideas, memories or suggestions we’re keen to hear them – please email walthamstow@sohotheatre.com in the first instance. 

Much of the Granada is currently unused. It originally had 2,700 seats but once restored will seat 1,000 people. What’s the rationale behind that?
In architectural and heritage terms, that capacity means the auditorium will be able to offer good seats to all, and provide the accessible facilities a 21st century audience requires. A 1,000-seat venue dedicated to comedy will sit between the intimate spaces at Soho Theatre and the bigger arenas and be a unique addition to London’s cultural landscape.