The King’s Theatre is one of Edinburgh’s most legendary venues and it will be re-opening its doors to audiences following an extended closure.
The theatre has been shut since August 2022 for refurbishment and modernisation works.
However, audiences will be welcomed back with open arms from Saturday, August 1, right on time for the start of festival season in Edinburgh.
Announcing the reopening of the King’s, 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.”
Throughout the decades, the King’s stage has played hosted to many stars and productions, as well as cherished traditions such as the annual pantomime and Gang Show.
As the King’s Theatre reopens to the public, we take a look back at some of the best photographs from the theatre’s history, featuring stars of years past such as Stanley Baxter, Rikki Fulton, Una McClean, Gerard Kelly and many more.
Take a step back in time with our retro gallery below:
17. Timothy Bateson and Alan Rickman on the King's Theatre stage
Timothy Bateson and Alan Rickman in the Ninigawa Company's production Tango at the End of Winter, playing the King's theatre during Edinburgh Festival 1991. | TSPL
18. Chorus line of 'Robin Hood and The Babes in the Wood'
Four girls from the chorus line of 'Robin Hood and The Babes in the Wood' pantomime, which was playing the King's theatre in Edinburgh, December 1989. L-r: Fiona Laird, Julie Ann Murray, Phyllis Hutchison, Roberta Moir. | TSPL
19. The King at the King's
L-r: Vince Eager, David Ballard and Bo Willis played Elvis Presley at different stages of his life in the Elvis show at the King's theatre in Edinburgh, July 1980. | TSPL
20. Stanley Baxter with fans
Scottish entertainer Stanley Baxter (playing Widow Twankey in Aladdin at the King's theatre) presented a Snoopy telephone to four children from Graysmill school in Edinburgh, December 1985. | TSPL