Steve Marmion to go freelance

Soho Theatre’s artistic director  Steve Marmion has announced he is quitting the theatre in the New Year.

Also joint chief executive of the Central  London venue for the past eight years, he has helped to cement its reputation as a vital part of the comedy scene.

Since he joined, the annual audience at Soho has almost tripled from 90,000 to 230,000, while expanding its spaces to include the downstairs cabaret and comedy venue.

From January he will be  launching a new company and pursuing his freelance career as a director and writer.

Shows Marmion has previously directed include drag-cabaret show Denim, Vulcan 7 starring Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer, the play Death Of A Comedian and high-energy sketch show from Late Night Gimp Fight.

Comedians and other artists supported, commissioned or produced during Marmion’s time with the theatre include Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Bryony Kimming, Natalie Palamides, Doctor Brown and Kim Noble,

He said: ‘It is with excitement and pride I leave my role at Soho Theatre. The excitement is at the prospect of space to write, time to collaborate, the new audiences I will meet, and in the New Year an ambitious new production and education company. 

‘The pride comes from what we have achieved together at Soho by being brave and imaginative, and by daring to take a chance on people and nurture them.’ 

Nicholas Allott , the chair of Soho Theatre said: ‘The theatre has never felt more vibrant than now with its buzzing audiences and potent blend of new theatre, comedy and cabaret. His decision to move on to new challenges after almost a decade at the helm is a sad one for me, but I know he will make a huge success of his next venture.’

Published: 21 Dec 2018