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First look at Edinburgh King's Theatre ahead of July opening

Iona YoungBBC Scotland
Bennetts Associates The front of the red sandstone King's Theatre from the road outside with people walking past Bennetts Associates
Celebrations will be announced nearer the time

A theatre in Edinburgh that is more than 120 years old is set to reopen in July after a major refurbishment.

The King's Theatre in Tollcross was closed after the Edinburgh International Festival in 2022 with construction starting the following year.

It nearly did not survive the Covid pandemic before stars stepped into save it - including actor Brian Cox.

Then in 2023 the theatre was nearly shut down for good after charity Capital Theatres ran out of money for the refurbishment due to the soaring cost of inflation.

It was saved from closure that year after the city council and Scottish government gave extra funding for its redevelopment.

Now as it nears completion, Capital Theatres have shared a sneak peek of the dramatic transformation that has taken place behind closed doors over the last four years.

Anneleen Lindsay A huge blue mural on the roof of the theatre which features a moon and clouds underneath rows of half constructed seats can be seen as scaffolding towers in front of the stalls on the left Anneleen Lindsay
The theatre was saved in 2023 after extra funding
Anneleen Linsday Rows of velvet red seats in the upper circle of a theatre - the stage area is covered with scaffolding towering to the ceilingAnneleen Linsday
Capital Theatres are aiming to bring the panto back for December 2026
Anneleen Lindsay A side view of the King's Theatre stage during construction the stage is covered with ropes and pieces of wood but the recognisable stalls and statues on the side of the stage are still visible Anneleen Lindsay
The theatre first opened its doors in 1906

Plans for the renovation were first announced in 2018.

Initial designs for the A-listed building included removing 200 seats - from 1,300 down to 1,100 - to provide more hospitality.

Then during the pandemic in 2020 there were concerns the theatre may not survive.

Succession star Brian Cox appealed to the first minister to help save the theatre, which he described as "the catalyst" for his career.

The Dundee-born actor credits his early visits to the King's Theatre for inspiring a stage and screen career spanning more than 60 years.

The original refurbishment was only due to take two years between 2021 and 2023 but the pandemic thwarted those plans.

Since the closure productions have been transferred to the Festival Theatre in Southside for the duration of building work.

Annaleen Lindsay A selection of old wooden doors that are in the process of being revamped - two have colourful stained glass pannelsAnnaleen Lindsay
In 2012 the theatre had a £2.6m refurbishment including a new roof and a revamped foyer
Mike Hume A huge room with red walls and original wooden features, with a half constructed bar and a half circle window looking out onto Home Street in Edinburgh Mike Hume
The renovation has created new hospitality areas
Anneleen Lindsay The King's Theatre sign covered in cloth and polish during the renovationAnneleen Lindsay
The theatre closed its doors in the summer of 2022

During the risk of closure in 2023 Capital Theatres, which also run the Festival Theatre and Studio Theatre, were £8.9m short after they were hit by soaring costs driven by inflation.

The charity raised £26m to support the theatre.

This was then topped up with an extra £3m from the council and an additional £3.85m pledged by the Scottish government.

Work has been taking place since then but is nearing completion ahead of the summer opening - in time for the Edinburgh International Festival 2026.

Staff at the theatre described the final stages of the refurbishment as exciting and confirmed there would be celebrations held for the reopening.

A Capital Theatres spokesperson said: "As construction continues, attention will soon turn to the final decorative details that will bring all these spaces together.

"Each week brings the King's one step closer to reopening, and we look forward to sharing more updates as the project reaches the finish line."

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