As part of the huge refurbishment project at The Grand Old Lady of Leven Street, the King’s Theatre Community Panel curated an exhibition of images by photographer, Anneleen Lindsay, to celebrate the theatre, the people and places in Tollcross.
Panel members selected streets, spaces and landmarks in Tollcross that hold particular significance for them. The photos explore the connection between the local community and the theatre.
The photo here shows Vivien Devlin, theatre and film critic and member of the King’s Theatre Community Panel, photographed at The Cameo Cinema for ‘The Grand Old Lady of Leven Street and Her Neighbours’, which was a commission by Capital Theatres.
The Panel is a diverse group of local people who help to shape policies for the theatre’s future community programme in the redesigned spaces, and its members play an important role in ensuring that local voices remain at the heart of the King’s Theatre.
Fiona Gibson, Chief Executive of Capital Theatres, said: “The Grand Old Lady and Her Neighbours is such a beautiful and heartwarming celebration of the wonderful community that surrounds the King’s Theatre. As we prepare to reopen our doors, it feels especially important to recognise the people, stories and places that make Tollcross such a vibrant and distinctive part of Edinburgh.”
She continued that the photos offer “a fascinating insight into the neighbourhood through their experiences and memories.”
Photographer, Anneleen Lindsay, said: “I’m always interested in how people interact with the places they inhabit and move through, particularly from an emotional perspective. The memories that these specific places in Tollcross invoke for the Community Panel members are vivid and often formative. Many of them told me stories from their childhood, both distinct moments – first experiences of live theatre and special treats of ice-creams from Mr Boni’s – and more general, accumulated memories of how living or working in Tollcross gave them confidence and cultural passions that they carried throughout their lives.
“Throughout the past four years photographing the King’s pre, during and soon-to-be post redevelopment, I have always wanted to convey the marks that The People’s Theatre has made on the people of Edinburgh. This exhibition feels like a meaningful way to honour the local community within that story. I hope that those visiting the exhibition will connect to the Panel’s recollections and that it sparks their own memories of the area or helps them to think about the places that were formative for them.”
The King’s Theatre will reopen on 1 August and will be home to performances during the EIF. It will also welcome back the panto crew at the end of the year.
This will be one of the most accessible heritage buildings in the UK with level access from the street after the three year renovation project, two front of house lifts serving all levels of the building, more wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet.
There are new public spaces including a Creative Engagement Studio for workshops and community projects as well as a café. A range of heritage displays will keep the theatre’s history alive.
You can see all the portraits here bit.ly/4uWkLy5 and there are further details of the pre-opening events which can be booked now on the King’s website.
