The Soho Theatre is a prominent producing and receiving venue in the Soho district of the City of Westminster in central London. It focuses on new writing and contemporary performance, presenting short runs and premieres across drama, stand-up comedy and cabaret. The organisation combines programming, commissioning and development activity to support emerging and established artists.
Venue and programming
The theatre's home on Dean Street opened in 2000 after a history of relocations within Soho. Its facilities include a main auditorium with approximately 140 seats and a smaller flexible studio that can be configured for 85 to 100 patrons. Programming typically mixes scripted plays, comedy bills and intimate cabaret evenings, often staged in repertory or as part of short seasonal runs. The building also supports workshops, rehearsals and community-facing events.
History and development
Soho Theatre was founded in 1969 by Verity Bargate and Fred Proud, originally based on Old Compton Street. Over the following decades the company moved several times around Soho before settling at the purpose-designed Dean Street premises at the turn of the 21st century. That move allowed the organisation to expand its producing capacity and to offer a steadier platform for new work.
Writers' Centre and creative support
A core part of the theatre's mission is its Writers' Centre, which provides script development, mentorship, workshops and other opportunities for writers working for stage, film, television and radio. The Centre runs development schemes and accepts submissions from emerging writers or through open calls; it is aimed at helping writers refine scripts, secure commissions and connect with directors and producers.
Theatre staff and affiliated dramaturgs regularly work with writers during early rehearsals and reading series. This practical support is paired with programming choices that favour new plays and risk-taking work, helping to introduce new voices into the broader UK cultural scene.
Soho Theatre is regarded as an important launchpad for comedic performers and playwrights and plays a visible role in London’s live entertainment ecology. Its compact, adaptable spaces and emphasis on new writing make it a frequent venue for premieres, pilot performances and seasonable festivals.