The West End’s first new theatre in 50 years will open its doors in the autumn after a 12-year multi-million pound construction project involving some of theatreland’s biggest names.
Its owner Nica Burns, whose Nimax empire already includes six West End theatres, turned to talent including Sherwood writer James Graham and former Donmar Warehouse artistic director Josie Rourke to draw up the masterplan for the new venue called @sohoplace.
Another former Donmar chief Michael Grandage was also an adviser, as was director Marianne Elliott.
Burns, who started out as an actress before becoming a director and producer, said: “It was built on the dream list of some of our greatest directors and theatremakers who shared with me what they would like.
“I can look at it from all sides of the stage but then asked the top people in the industry and I listened to what they had to say and they are going to help me get it right.”
The 602-seat auditorium is built in the round but the stage and every seat can be moved, with room for a full Shakespearean cast or a major musical.
The five-storey building, by Tottenham Court Road station, sits above the Elizabeth and Northern lines but its design cuts out any sound or vibration from the trains and there are no restricted views.
It is fully wheelchair accessible and includes a bar, an 80-cover restaurant as well as a rehearsal room, a green room and terrace which can be expanded to hold around 250 people.
Its interior design and blue and gold colour scheme studded with tiny lights picking out the shapes of the constellations is inspired by a visit Burns made as a young actress to the ancient Greek theatre of Epidaurus.
She said: “I was standing on the stage of this great ancient theatre at 8 o’clock — show time — as the last rays of a golden sun were coming through the trees and the stars were starting to twinkle in an indigo sky. It was magic.
“The interior of @sohoplace reflects these colours.”
Burns, who described the theatre as “a passion project”, will run it as a not for profit and said discussions were still ongoing about ticket prices which will “balance the equation” between affordability and breaking even.
