Inside the newly refurbished King’s Theatre there is more accessibility, with ambition and a packed programme to look forward to.
Accessibility sits right at the heart of the King’s transformation. For the first time in the theatre’s history, lifts now serve every public floor, giving audiences genuine step-free access from street to seat and stage.
The auditorium itself has been reshaped with inclusion in mind: eight dedicated wheelchair spaces now have a space in the Stalls, with two more in the Dress Circle. Forty Stalls seats have been fitted with hinged armrests to make transferring from a wheelchair far easier, while a further 12 wider seats add extra comfort and choice for audience members. Accessible toilets are now available on every level, alongside a brand-new Changing Places facility, and backstage a platform lift, accessible dressing room and accessible toilet mean that visiting performers benefit from the same change in access.
The improvements go well beyond the auditorium. The theatre’s original raked stage has made way for a new level stage, opening the door to a much wider range of work — from dance to contemporary circus. Combined with a 4.5-metre extension to the fly tower and upgraded technical infrastructure, the King’s can now handle faster get-ins and get-outs and offer a better working environment for crews and companies alike. In short, it’s a venue now equipped to attract bigger, more technically ambitious touring productions from home and abroad, cementing Edinburgh’s reputation as a year-round home for world-class performance.
The redevelopment also hands the King’s a bigger role in the everyday life of the city. A new Creative Engagement Studio gives Capital Theatres a dedicated space for workshops and creative activities for all ages, while a redesigned café, refreshed public spaces and new heritage exhibition areas mean people can wander in throughout the day — whether they’re catching a show or not.
The King’s first opened its doors in 1906 and remains the only surviving working theatre designed by architects Swanston and Davidson. Craftspeople have taken great care throughout the works to preserve that heritage, from the stained-glass door panels and ornate plasterwork to John Byrne’s much-loved dome painting. Alongside the physical restoration sits The People’s Archive, a new digital exhibition backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland, bringing together more than 3,000 photographs, programmes, press cuttings and personal memories charting the people who’ve shaped the King’s over the decades.
And the reopening is just the start. Graham Norton and Maria McErlane kick things off with their podcast Wanging On, part of the Gilded Balloon’s Fringe programme, on 7 August, before the Edinburgh International Festival takes over the King’s stage from 11-30 August. Capital Theatres’ new season then gets underway with Jasmin Vardimon’s contemporary dance piece Lullaby on 24 September, followed by the new Scottish musical Wallace, Tony Roper’s perennial favourite The Steamie, Marc Brew and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s an accident / a life, West End smash Operation Mincemeat, Rollers Forever, and the King’s famously beloved pantomime, this year bringing The Adventures of Pinocchio to the stage. Between them, the productions show off exactly what the reimagined King’s can now do — and reaffirm its place as one of Scotland’s great homes for live performance.
Fiona Gibson, Chief Executive of Capital Theatres, the charity that manages the King’s Theatre, said: “Today is a landmark moment for the King’s Theatre and for everyone who has supported its journey back to the heart of Edinburgh’s cultural life. We’ve carefully preserved everything people love about this extraordinary building while transforming it for the future.
“The King’s is now one of the UK’s most accessible Edwardian heritage buildings, ready to welcome more people than ever before, creating new possibilities for audiences, artists and communities. The new level stage, enhanced technical facilities and improved backstage access strengthen its position as one of Scotland’s leading venues for touring productions, co-producing and commissioning, ensuring we are ready to bring the very best live performances to Edinburgh for generations to come.
“For 120 years the King’s has been a place where Edinburgh comes together to laugh, to cry, to celebrate and to be inspired. Today we’re opening the doors not just to a restored theatre, but to a building that truly lives up to its reputation of being the People’s Theatre. It is an absolute privilege to welcome audiences back and begin this exciting new chapter together.”
