As Edinburgh King’s Theatre multi-million pound redevelopment approaches its final stages ahead of an August re-opening, the theatre’s operator, Capital Theatres have released a first glimpse of the restoration of the Old Lady of Leven Street in their latest project update.
With seats now installed on all levels of the auditorium, the King’s Theatre now boasts an increased capacity of 1,125 seats, including new seats in the Upper Circle with higher backs for improved comfort, alongside the reinstallation of deep-cleaned and restored original seating in the Dress Circle and Stalls.
Accessibility too is enhanced across the building. The auditorium now includes eight dedicated wheelchair spaces in the Stalls and two in the Dress Circle. In addition, 40 seats with hinged armrests have been installed to enable easy transfer from a wheelchair in the Stalls, alongside 12 wider seats.
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.
Focus of the redevelopment is now turning to the final decorative touches in the auditorium following the installation of new flooring, panelling, and both heritage and new doors throughout the space. Work on the auditorium boxes is also progressing well and earlier this week the arrival of the steel frame for the new front entrance canopy marked another significant milestone in the project.
Fiona Gibson, Chief Executive of Capital Theatres, says, “Each day we are getting closer and more excited about reopening the doors and raising the curtain once more in our beloved King’s Theatre. Our newest project update really reflects the refreshed feeling of the King’s, more accessible than ever before, almost ready to share extraordinary experiences with audiences again.”
Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group which is delivering the construction adds, “As we approach completion of the King’s Theatre, it’s incredibly rewarding to see such an iconic building brought sensitively into the modern era. This project has been about more than construction, it’s about preserving a much loved cultural landmark, while creating a theatre that is fully accessible, future ready and capable of welcoming the next generation of performers and audiences. We’re proud to have played our part in delivering a high quality venue that will sit at the heart of Edinburgh’s cultural life for decades to come.”
Tickets for Edinburgh King’s Theatre’s reopening season HERE
