Soho Theatre

Following its departure from the Cockpit Theatre (q.v.) in 1995, the Soho Theatre Company found new premises in the empty West End Great Synagogue. With an £8m Lottery grant from Arts Council England (and further fundraising), the company transformed the building to include a theatre, three rehearsal/studio spaces, workrooms, script library, offices and a restaurant/bar. Building works commenced in 1997, overseen by architects Paxton Locher. The project took six years to complete, and opened in 2003 to provide the West End with a brand new theatre. In 2010 the theatre was further adapted. As well as the 150 seat Soho Theatre, the venue now contains the 90 seat Soho Upstairs and a cabaret space, Soho Downstairs. The main Soho Theatre is a simply fitted-out auditorium, which retains a sense of intimacy and comfort with good sightlines and retains unique facilities including a writer’s centre. The exterior of the theatre is striking – a largely glass, concrete and neon-lit facade which draws the passer-by into the theatre.