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King's Theatre in Edinburgh re-opens after £41m refurbishment

Ryan Buchanan Video projection illuminates the façade of Edinburgh's King's Theatre at night, displaying colourful artwork across the historic building to mark its reopening following a major refurbishment. Traffic lights, pedestrians and the theatre entrance are visible in the foreground.Ryan Buchanan
The venue has been closed for almost four years while undergoing a refurbishment

Edinburgh's historic King's Theatre has re-opened following a £41m refurbishment.

The 120-year-old venue has been closed for almost four years while the work was carried out.

The project has seen extensive modernisation work aimed at making the building more accessible.

First Minister John Swinney described the building as "an iconic landmark" and a "prized part of Edinburgh's identity and heritage".

"Its reopening will strengthen the city's vibrant cultural sector, draw in tens of thousands of visitors and support jobs and businesses across Edinburgh and beyond," he said.

Members of the public will be able to tour the theatre on Saturday and Sunday before performances begin on Friday.

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The venue's future was plunged into doubt when operator Capital Theatres came close to running out of money due to the soaring cost of its renovation.

More than 1,370 workers from 160 organisations were involved in the refurbishment, which took 1,252 days to complete.

A series of test events was held ahead of the reopening to trial technical equipment and operational procedures.

Three lifts have been installed to help people with mobility issues while accessible toilets have also been added on every floor.

Anneleen Lindsay The restored auditorium of Edinburgh's King's Theatre is illuminated in purple and blue light as audience members fill the stalls, balconies and upper circle. The theatre's ornate decorative interior and the dome painting All the World's a Stage by John Byrne are visible above the auditorium.Anneleen Lindsay
The refurbishment also included conservation work on the theatre's dome painting

The auditorium now has 10 wheelchair spaces and there is also an accessible dressing room.

Technical infrastructure throughout the theatre has also been upgraded as part of the redevelopment.

The fly tower has been extended by 4.5 metres (14.8 ft) to accommodate more technically demanding touring productions and the raked stage has been replaced with a level surface.

Hospitality capacity has increased from 200 to 405 people, The former box office has been converted into a café, and a new creative engagement studio has also been created within the building.

Nine-year-old Isla and seven-year-old Ewan from Tollcross Primary School joined lifelong King's Theatre visitor Charlotte Fabian, 104, as the first members of the public to be welcomed into the redeveloped venue by Capital Theatres chief executive Fiona Gibson.

Their combined age of 120 matches that of the theatre.

Greg Macvean Photography Four people in the open doorway of a theatre - a woman, a boy and a girl standing with their arms held aloft, and an older woman sitting in a wheelchair smiling.Greg Macvean Photography
Centenarian Charlotte Fabian celebrates the theatre re-opening with Isla, Ewan and Capital Theatre chief executive Fiona Gibson

The refurbishment also included conservation work on the theatre's All the World's a Stage dome painting.

The artwork was created in 2013 by the late Scottish playwright, artist and designer John Byrne.

Opened in 1906, the Grade A-listed theatre is the only surviving working theatre designed by architects Swanston and Davidson.

Plans for the renovation were first announced in 2018 and initial designs suggested removing nearly 200 seats to provide more hospitality.

Since then, the theatre has survived two serious threats to its existence.

In 2020, Succession star Brian Cox appealed to then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after the theatre failed to secure emergency funding during the Covid pandemic.

Two years later redevelopment costs, driven by inflation, soared by 20% to 30%.

City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish and UK governments later contributed about £8.85m to ensure the work was able to be completed.

During the renovation, a slip of paper containing the names of architects and plasters responsible for building the theatre was discovered in a glass bottle hidden behind a crown decoration.

The theatre's full summer programme will play host to certain events in the Edinburgh International Festival from 11-30 August.