Capital Theatres raises the curtain on King’s Theatre official reopening

The King’s Theatre officially reopens to the public on Saturday 1 August following a major redevelopment project which has seen the venue transform into a fully modern and accessible theatre for present and future generations.

The historic Edinburgh theatre returns with a special Opening Weekend on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August, throwing the doors open for the public to discover the reimagined King’s. People will be able to explore all areas of the building, book behind-the-scenes tours that include stepping onto the new flat stage and find out more about the theatre’s history and the redevelopment project.

The King’s Theatre Opening Weekend is free to attend but booking is required to guarantee a slot. Booking opens for everyone on Thursday 28 May at capitaltheatres.com.

Prior to the Opening Weekend, Capital Theatres is calling upon audiences to help put the newly redeveloped theatre through its paces with a short series of test performances. These special events allow the team to rehearse everything that makes a theatre visit run smoothly, from ticket scanning to wayfinding around the venue and front of house operations. The test performances include:

• A Great Night Out (Thursday 23 July 7.30pm) – Edinburgh’s community companies return to their beloved King’s Theatre home for an uplifting one-off concert, hosted by panto favourites Clare Gray and Gail Watson. Featured companies include Allegro, Bohemians Lyric Opera Company, Edinburgh Gang Show, Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Edinburgh Music Theatre, Showcase and Southern Light.

• Frozen Singalong (Saturday 25 July 2.30pm) – a singalong screening of the Disney classic for the young and young at heart.
• Mhairi Black and Kevin Quantum (Saturday 25 July 7.30pm) – an evening of comedy, magic and science.

These events lay the foundations for the King’s Theatre official programme starting this summer with Graham Norton’s live podcast Wanging On (7 August), the Edinburgh International Festival (11-30 August) and contemporary dance with Jasmin Vardimon’s Lullaby (24 September).

Priority booking for Friends of Capital Theatres for the test performances is on Thursday 28 May, with general booking open on Thursday 4 June.

Fiona Gibson, Chief Executive of Capital Theatres, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to officially welcome people back to the King’s Theatre on Saturday 1 August for our Opening Weekend. Hundreds of people have been hard at work on our beautiful building and we can’t wait to show you what’s changed, what’s stayed the same and how the theatre plans to welcome you all back over the coming year. Come and have a peek at the new bars, experience the all-new lifts to every floor, enjoy the rare chance to step onto the new flat stage, or simply have a drink in the new café, our team is excited to see you again.” 

“Every great show needs a dress rehearsal, and the reopening of the King’s is no exception. That’s why we’re inviting audiences to be among the first to experience the transformed theatre to help us test how the building operates with a full audience. We can’t wait to see the King’s Theatre full of art, people and life once more.” 

On 1 August, the King’s Theatre reopens as a world-class venue at the centre of Edinburgh’s cultural life and will be one of the most accessible heritage buildings in the UK.

Since construction began in February 2023, the building has been transformed by dramatic structural improvements.  These include a raised fly tower (extended by 4.5 metres) to accommodate larger, more ambitious productions, and the replacement of the old, raked stage with a new level stage able to accommodate a wider range of performances.

Accessibility is at the heart of the redevelopment, with a step-free journey from street to seat and stage for the first time in the theatre’s history. Improvements include:

• Two front-of-house lifts serving all levels of the building, plus one back of house.

• Increased wheelchair spaces, new end of row seats with transfer arms and the addition of some wider seats available in the Stalls.
• New accessible toilets on every floor and a Changing Places toilet facility open to all.

The King’s Theatre will offer welcoming new public spaces, including a street-level café, a Creative Engagement Studio for workshops, community projects and events, and a range of heritage displays and artefacts bringing the venue’s rich history to life.

Alongside the physical transformation, the King’s remarkable story is celebrated by  The People’s Archive  –  a digital archive, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland.  It contains more than 3,000 items contributed by audiences, performers and staff to ensure the theatre’s rich history continues to inspire many generations to come.

To learn more about the King’s Theatre redevelopment, visit www.capitaltheatres.com/kings-future.

Cover Photo Credit: Anneleen Lindsay