Founded in 1969 by Verity Bargate and Fred Proud, Soho Theatre Company performed in New Compton St, Soho, before moving on to the legendary Soho Poly Theatre where it remained for eighteen years presenting new plays, firstly at lunchtimes and then moving to an evening programme. Its early years saw the first works of such playwrights as Sue Townsend, Hanif Kureishi, Timberlake Wertenbaker, Tony Marchant, Pam Gems, Barrie Keeffe and many more.

In 1990, the Company left the Soho Poly and produced at venues including the Royal Court, Riverside Studios and ICA before taking up residence in the ex-ILEA Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone. Over a remarkable three years, the Company relaunched itself, expanding the writers’ development programme and premiering the work of over 35 new writers.

In 1995, the residency ended and Soho Theatre began the search for a new, permanent home. This was to take five years and, in spring 2000, the Company completed one of the country’s most innovative Lottery projects when it opened the new Soho Theatre in Dean Street.

Today the Company owns the freehold to Soho Theatre and leases its restaurant to Café Lazeez. Situated in the heart of London’s West End, it is a state of the art venue with theatre, studio and ancillary space and is home to Soho Theatre’s diverse range of new plays, comedy, writers’ development work and an innovative community and education programme.