Soho Theatre institutes ‘creative lead’ role in team revamp

ROSE ABDERABBANI will lead the charge on programming shows across Soho Theatre’s central London and Walthamstow buildings, in the newly-created position of head of theatre programme.

Abderabbani, who has worked for the charity since 2012, is to work in tandem with head of comedy STEVE LOCK and head of creative engagement JESSICA DRAPER in what Soho Theatre terms a “restructure of its theatre team”.

The rejigged set-up sees head of theatre DAVID LUFF step down after more than a decade at the organisation, to pursue independent projects as a producer.

Only a few months after the opening of the 970-seat Soho Theatre Walthamstow, the organisation has also launched a pilot commissioning programme, titled Soho ReDraft, in what it is calling a “landmark” season for new writing.

Aimed at supporting five playwrights in developing existing first drafts of their plays into production-ready scripts, the scheme has engaged five writers so far, including critic and theatre journalist NATASHA TRIPNEY and White Girls Gang writer RIANNA SIMONS.

Soho Theatre’s MARK GODFREY, executive director and chief executive, and his co-executive director SAM HANSFORD, said: “We’re delighted that Rose Abderabbani now steps up to lead a uniquely talented team delivering a creatively ambitious theatre programme with new opportunity and new resource.”

“Supporting new playwriting talent and producing new plays has always been a constant at the heart of our vibrant and diverse programme, and this now moves on to an even bigger scope, scale and stage,” the pair added.