A brand new superstar theatre for Soho, you say?
It’s apparently the first newly built theatre in the West End (though surely The Soho Theatre is fairly new, not that we want to be getting into any arguments) and it better be good because it’s part of the development that replaced the much-loved (if only because we mis-spent our youth going to G-A-Y there because it was a bit of a rat’s nest) Astoria. You know that corner by Tottenham Court Road? The cut-through to Soho Square.
Anyway, anyway… it’s all the brainchild of West End producer and theatre owner Nica Burns, who was inspired by the ancient Greek theatre of Epidaurus, where the audience is never that far from the action. In this case, there are only six rows, which means the actors are right there (especially good if it’s a play featuring nudity!) and there are no disrupted sight lines. Oh and the acoustics are state-of-the-art magnificent.
It’s designed by architect Simon Allford, sitting president of RIBA, so he must be alright, and is part of the £300 million investment into that spot on the fringes of Soho, which has seen new hotels, restaurants and a Piazza, because everyone likes a slice of Piazza. And don’t worry, there’s going to be a great bar in that theatre too because who wants to go to the theatre if there’s no drinks before/after/during?
It opens this autumn at 2 Soho Place. See you down there.
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