Philharmonia Orchestra to partner with Soho Theatre Walthamstow

The Philharmonia Orchestra has today announced a new partnership with Soho Theatre Walthamstow, the brand new venue from Soho Theatre. The Orchestra, who are celebrating their 80th birthday this autumn with a range of new initiatives designed to welcome new audiences to experience live classical music, will bring a vibrant and engaging programme to audiences from Waltham Forest and beyond.

The partnership between the Philharmonia and Soho Theatre Walthamstow adds to the list of the Orchestra’s partners, ranging from its long-standing relationship with Bold Tendencies in Peckham, to its newer partnerships with venues such as the Roundhouse. 

Soho Theatre Walthamstow, a major new 960 seat London venue in a beautifully restored former 1930s Granada cinema, opened earlier this year and is the company’s second venue alongside Soho Theatre (in Soho, W1) which celebrates 25 years this year. The partnership consists of three concerts between September 2025 and January 2026. It begins on 28 September with a programme of Beethoven Coriolan Overture, Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 and Beethoven Symphony No. 7. The orchestra is joined by conductor Nil Venditti and cellist Anastasia Kobekina. On 21 December they will present Philharmonia Brass at Christmas. On 13 January the Orchestra will perform an all-Mozart programme with eminent British conductor and clarinettist Michael Collins, also a close collaborator of the Philharmonia – Symphony No. 40, Clarinet Concerto and Symphony No. 41.

Alongside the music the Orchestra will present a series of educational activities in October and January including open rehearsals, workshops with local children and pre-concert “In conversation” Insights Talks.

The 80th birthday celebrations from the Philharmonia all point towards their history and legacy whilst looking ahead to the future. Earlier this year they launched ‘Philharmonia Social’ a series of brand new initiatives in the concert hall and beyond to welcome audiences around the UK. As well as music in new places, Philharmonia Social will allow audiences to access free tickets to Philharmonia concerts at the Royal Festival Hall, be welcomed to concerts, gain deeper insight from a debates and discussion series, as well as an expansive schools programme working with 80 schools across the UK – introducing thousands more children to live orchestral music.

Thorben Dittes, Chief Executive of Philharmonia Orchestra said: “This partnership between the Philharmonia and Soho Theatre Walthamstow marks the beginning of an exciting new collaboration for both of our organisations. The Theatre’s dedication to engaging diverse audiences through its innovative programming is something that resonates deeply with the Philharmonia and speaks strongly to our organisational mission. Through our three very different concert programmes and accompanying learning and engagement activity, we’ll bring a broad range of the Philharmonia experience to new audiences in the Waltham Forest area and beyond, particularly those who may not have seen us perform in our home venue, the Royal Festival Hall. I look forward to working with the Soho Theatre team on this rewarding journey.”

Sam Hansford, Co-Executive Director of Soho Theatre Walthamstow said:  “We are delighted to begin this partnership with the Philharmonia, and to bring classical music to Soho Theatre Walthamstow for the first time.  Since we opened earlier this year over 30,000 people have seen comedy, theatre, film and more in this beautifully restored venue, and we can’t wait to bring the Philharmonia to this vibrant, curated programme, alongside workshops and activities for young people and local schools.

This partnership is a powerful reminder of the returns that can be seen from financial investment in arts and culture – capital investment from Waltham Forest Council to restore this iconic venue; philanthropic support from an enlightened donor to enable this partnership; and collaboration between two Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisations in the Philharmonia and Soho Theatre have combined to bring world-class classical music and engagement opportunities to Waltham Forest.”