New fringe theatre venue planned for Raymond Revuebar

A new, 165-seat theatre, boasting Europe’s most advanced revolving auditorium, will open in Soho this autumn. The Boulevard Theatre will be built on the famous nightclub, the Raymond Revuebar. It will have an upstairs theatre with a restaurant and bar at ground level.

Behind the venture is Fawn James, actor and granddaughter of Paul Raymond. She said she was, “So proud to announce the launch of the new Boulevard Theatre opening later this year! It is a hugely exciting day for me.”

The theatre will be built within Walkers Court, Wardour Street on the site of Raymond’s club – London’s first strip club, which opened in 1958. In the 1980s, as the Boulevard Theatre, it played host to alternative comedy, showcasing performances by the likes of Eddie Izzard and Dawn French.  

Under artistic director, Rachel Edwards, the Boulevard Theatre will put on four main productions a year, with a focus on off-Broadway-style fringe shows. Alongside this output will be a programme of late-night and Sunday afternoon comedy, cabaret and music, aimed at supporting emerging talent.

Rachel Edwards set up the Tooting Arts Club in 2011 and is best-known for her award-winning immersive production of Sweeney Todd, which located the demon barber’s tale in a Shaftesbury Avenue pie and mash shop.

The innovative space, with its revolving theatre, will have an independently-movable balcony and stalls, enabling shows with widely-different layouts to be produced. A two-storey glass bridge will lead theatregoers to the restaurant area.

The restaurant and bar will offer food and drink throughout the day, with a menu promising simple, high-quality ingredients and a strong showing for vegan options.

The announcement is a further boost to live theatre in the capital after news of two 1000-seater venues for White City and Wembley Park.

The first details of The Boulevard Theatre’s programme are expected in May 2019.

Read more about this story in Time Out.