Edinburgh's King's Theatre re-opens to much acclaim – and with perfect timing
The King’s Theatre’s renovation has been finished just in time to be a venue for Edinburgh festival shows
The Old Lady of Leven Street has been with us for 120 years but she’s now looking better than ever after a four-year, £41 million makeover. So much so, that thousands of people have signed up for tours of Edinburgh’s newly renovated and re-opened King’s Theatre.
Fiona Gibson, chief executive of Capital Theatres, felt the hand of history as the work was being done, agonising over details like the “quite in-your-face” shade of blue – based on the colour of a peacock depicted in stained glass – used in the building.
“It was a bold choice, but I think it works,” she said. “We wanted [the theatre] to still feel comfortable and familiar, but enough change for people to think it was worth all the time and effort... We’ve now done a couple of test events and seeing people’s faces coming in through the door and seeing them looking around and smiling... will be a lasting memory.”
The Edwardian theatre has re-opened just in time to host shows for the Edinburgh International Festival – clearly a Lady with a knack for making a grand entrance. Welcome back!
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