Our Venue's History
The history of arts activities at 16 Riding House Street goes back at least as far as the late 1960s when it was a student workshop and folk club. Then, in 1972, the Soho Theatre Company – founded by Verity Bargate and Fred Proud – was introduced to the space and an agreement was made with the Polytechnic of Central London (now the University of Westminster) to form the Soho Poly Theatre Club. For 18 years, the venue known as the Soho Poly was host to theatre makers including Bob Hoskins, Simon Callow, Harriet Walter, Hanif Kureishi and Caryl Churchill.
The Soho Poly was a hugely significant, and much loved, fixture on London’s alternative theatre landscape. Then, in 1990, the space was returned to university use. All its theatrical fittings were removed and it became little more than a storage room. It was in danger of being lost for good when, in 2012, a project was begun to recover its history and restore it. Under the management of the University of Westminster the space was officially reopened in 2023 and it now operates as a fully licensed arts venue once again.
Visiting the Soho Poly offers the opportunity to experience one of the last surviving spaces from an important chapter in theatre history. But, most importantly, it is a place to take part in an inspiring programme of contemporary arts and cultural events.
1968-1972
Early arts activities
This space is used as a student arts workshop. It is also the home of the Polyfolk club, hosting gigs by musicians such as Michael Milner and Claire Hart (known together as Michael Claire) and Maureen Kennedy Martin.
1972-1990
Theatre
The Soho Poly becomes one of the most important alternative theatre venues in London. Throughout the 1970s it is particularly famous for lunchtime theatre. Plays by Pam Gems, Barrie Keeffe, David Edgar, Timberlake Wertenbaker, Hanif Kureishi and Tony Marchant are performed during this time, with actors such as Bob Hoskins, Harriet Walter, Phil Davis and John Hurt.
1990
Venue closes
The Soho Theatre Company leaves the Soho Poly site. The space is returned to university use and all further association with the Soho Theatre Company is ended.
2012
Rediscovered
The venue is rediscovered by members of staff at the University of Westminster (formerly the Polytechnic of Central London). A festival marks 40-year since it first opened. Fred Proud comes back to repaint the walls!
2018
One Autumn Evening
Fred Proud returns to direct a play reading of the Soho Theatre Company’s inaugural production, first performed at the Open Space theatre in 1968: ‘One Autumn Evening’, by Friedrich Dürrenmatt.
2021
Sus
During lockdown, the team behind the Soho Poly restoration project produces an online reading of Barrie Keeffe’s seminal play ‘Sus’. Original director Ann Mitchell, and cast member Roger Allam, join the Zoom.
2023
Reopening
Following a significant capital fundraising project, the historic Soho Poly venue reopens with a new artistic team.
2024
Indigo Giant
A performance of Ben Musgrave’s play Indigo Giant marks the first professional production in the venue for 34 years.
Support Us
Your support is essential for the long-term sustainability of the Soho Poly. While we aim to keep our space financially accessible to all theatre companies and individuals, we encourage contributions through workshops, talks, masterclasses, or mentorship as well as voluntary donations using our contactless donation station in the Soho Poly.
Alternatively, click the donate button or email info@sohopoly.co.uk to discuss your support further.
Oral histories
In 2021, a Soho Poly research project received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to collect oral histories from former practitioners and to support outreach work. Follow the link to hear extracts of interviews with actors, writers and directors, and to download a free educational resource pack aimed at sixth-form students and teachers.