Edinburgh King’s Theatre has taken a major step towards its reopening following a landmark redevelopment, with the unveiling of some of the productions set to be staged in the revitalised venue in 2026, including West End hits, new drama, dance and family entertainment.
Highlights of the newly announced productions that will feature in the King’s autumn 2026 season, include Operation Mincemeat (2-7 November), the West End and Broadway smash hit and winner of the 2024 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Chariots of Fire (15-19 September), a brand-new stage adaptation of the multi-award-winning film, directed by Roxana Silbert and written by Mike Bartlett and the return of Edinburgh’s pantomime to its spiritual home for the first time since 2021, as Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young star in The Adventures of Pinocchio (28 November 2026 to 17 January 2027), the very first time the classic panto title has been staged at the Old Lady of Leven Street.
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Other upcoming productions include Tony Roper’s much loved washhouse comedy The Steamie (5-10 October), new family musical Toto The Ninja Cat (23-25 October) based on the best-selling children’s books by Dermot O’Leary, and Crown of Blood (3-6 March 2027), a powerful new West African adaptation of Macbeth.
Fiona Gibson, Chief Executive of Capital Theatres, says, “In less than one year, the iconic King’s Theatre stage will burst into life once more with a beautifully curated programme of shows, offering something for everyone. The King’s Theatre has always been known as the People’s Theatre, and we can’t wait to throw our doors open wide to welcome back our wonderful audiences. We are one step closer to hearing the roar of a King’s crowd once more, and I cannot wait to share this unforgettable new chapter with the city of Edinburgh.”
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With The King’s redevelopment now more than 85% complete, marking major progress toward securing its future as a world-class venue at the heart of Edinburgh’s cultural life, James Nelmes, Director at Bennetts Associates, the architectural firm leading the £20 million redevelopment, adds, “After years of dedicated and determined effort from our project team, Bennetts Associates is thrilled to see the transformational redevelopment of the King’s Theatre taking shape as we edge closer to completion. Our design makes optimum use of the spaces inside the original 1906 building and sensitively adapts what already exists. With the stage floor laid, staircases installed and the final colours and finishes beginning to emerge, we are starting to glimpse the magic of what’s to come. Now, all that remains is for the building to welcome back its audience and discover the exciting first new programme. We can’t wait to see this magnificent theatre alive with people once again.”
Since construction began in February 2023, The King’s has been transformed by dramatic structural improvements, including a raised fly tower to accommodate larger productions and the replacement of the old, raked stage with a new level performance area.
Tickets here.
