Major London comedy venue opening this week

Here are the first images from inside the new Soho Theatre Walthamstow, which opens on Friday with a run of Natalie Palamides’ show Weer.

The 960-seat venue has been restored from the former 1930s  Granada cinema and includes a Grade II* listed auditorium, brand-new studio spaces, backstage facilities, four bars and a restaurant.  

London mayor 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.’

Design architect Fred Pilbrow added: ‘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.’

Highlights of the inaugural programme include new monthly comedy line-up show Neon Nights featuring Thanyia Moore, Sara Pascoe, Rosie Jones, Phil Wang and more – plus shows from he likes of Tim Minchin, Dara Ó Briain, Suzi Ruffell and  Kiell Smith-Bynoe &Friends.  The full comedy listings are here. 

The site has hosted a performance venue since 1897, and in 1930 the site was redeveloped as the Granada – inspired by the Alhambra Palace in  Spain – and  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 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.  

It was saved by grassroots groups including McGuffin Film Society and Save Walthamstow Cinema – and eventually Soho Theatre and Waltham Forest Council agreed on the restoration plan which led to the church’s planning application being decisively rejected for the final time. 

All photos on this page were taken by David Leven.

Published: 29 Apr 2025