‘THE AMBASSADORS’ RELAUNCHES AS WOKING THEATRES & CINEMA
Woking’s much-loved entertainment venues are entering an exciting new chapter, as The Ambassadors is reintroduced as Woking Theatres & Cinema from Friday 17 April 2026.
This bold new identity brings the town’s theatre and cinema offering together under one clear and unified name, marking one of the most significant changes to Woking’s cultural venues in over three decades.
A New Identity for Woking’s Cultural Venues
As part of this transformation, the New Victoria Theatre – a cornerstone of Woking’s cultural life since opening in 1992 and ATG Entertainment’s first acquired venue – will be renamed Woking Theatre, reflecting its deep connection to the town and the community it proudly serves. The Rhoda McGaw Theatre and Nova Cinema will retain their existing names, continuing to offer the same diverse and high-quality experiences audiences know and love.
This milestone moment signals more than a name change. It represents a wider evolution of the venues, with a new visual identity, enhanced public spaces, and continued investment in the overall visitor experience.
Audiences will now see a range of improvements across the venues, including refreshed entrances, updated interiors and enhanced hospitality spaces. These include a fully refurbished Ambassador Lounge, a refreshed in-house pizzeria, Pizza al Teatro, and the introduction of a brand-new Priority Club Bar, offering a more relaxed and premium experience for theatre-goers.
Externally, new digital screens and updated venue signage will further strengthen the venues’ presence in the town centre, helping to showcase the breadth of world-class entertainment coming to Woking.
Laura McMillan, Venue Director, said:
“This is a hugely exciting moment for us and for Woking. Bringing our venues together as Woking Theatres & Cinema gives us a clearer identity and reflects the important role we play at the heart of the community. Alongside this, we’ve been investing in our spaces to ensure every visit feels even more welcoming, comfortable and memorable. We’re incredibly proud of what’s to come, and we can’t wait to share this next chapter with our audiences.”
Cllr Amanda Boote, the Mayor of Woking, said:
“It’s fantastic to see our two theatre venues and the cinema coming together under the new name, Woking Theatres & Cinema. It really strengthens the town’s identity and highlights the importance of the arts within our community. These changes and upgrades sound wonderful, and I’m sure they will make every visit even more special.”
A Season to Remember
To mark this landmark moment, Woking Theatres & Cinema has also launched its brand-new season brochure, revealing a sensational line-up of entertainment heading to the town in the months ahead.
Audiences can look forward to a packed programme of West End musicals, drama, comedy, family favourites, live music and cinema – bringing the very best of stage and screen to Woking.
Musical lovers are in for a treat at Woking Theatre, with a standout season that rivals the West End, including Waitress, Mean Girls, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Barnum, Operation Mincemeat and Burlesque. Looking ahead, hit productions such as Six, Legally Blonde and Annie will take centre stage.
There’s plenty to excite beyond musicals too, with major theatre titles including Fawlty Towers – The Play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Paranormal Activity, alongside unmissable live comedy performances from the likes of Jimmy Carr and Tom Davis.
Dance and music fans are equally well catered for, with productions including Carlos Acosta’s Carmen, Reborn with Amy Dowden & Carlos Gu, and live tribute shows celebrating artists from Fleetwood Mac to ABBA and Motown.
Families can enjoy a fantastic range of shows, including Ministry of Science LIVE and Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show, before the year culminates in the spectacular pantomime Goldilocks and the Three Bears, starring Brian Conley.
The Rhoda McGaw Theatre remains a vibrant hub or community talent, with upcoming performances including Simply Theatre’s production of Anything Goes and WAOS Musical Theatre’s production of Bad Girls.
Nova Cinema continues to be Woking’s premier destination for film and events, where audiences can enjoy the latest blockbusters, timeless classics and one-off comedy nights.
