King's Theatre bosses say panto will return next year as £40m revamp on track

Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre says major redevelopment works remain on schedule and bosses are confident this will be the last Christmas without its much-loved panto.

The venue has been closed for more than three years as part of a £40m transformation aimed at modernising the historic building while preserving its traditional character.

Much of the theatre’s original charm will remain, but audiences can expect big improvements in accessibility.

It may be hard to imagine now, but by this time next year, the panto is expected to return to the King’s for the first time in five years.

The theatre, which first opened its doors in 1906, is undergoing the most significant refurbishment in its history. At the heart of the project is a commitment to ensure the building is open to everyone.

“The building was completely inaccessible to anybody with mobility issues. We’ve now made it flat from the street to the seat, there are no steps at the front of the building and you can get straight to two lifts that service every single public floor.”

The overhaul also includes new hospitality areas, a redesigned level stage and modern technical equipment — replacing some kit that was around 70-years-old.

But the team behind the project insists the King’s will still feel like the theatre generations have known.

“We’ve been very sensitive in the process,” John added. “I think if people were to stand across the road and look at us they might go ‘what have you done?’

“To all intents and purposes, the outside of the building is going to look really familiar. When they come in the foyer, it will also look extremely similar. The auditorium will look exactly as it was, just with much newer facilities.

“The concerns that we were going to completely destroy the heritage part of it, that was just never our intention. We didn’t want to do that either.”

The redevelopment has relied on a range of fundraising efforts, with the theatre closing its doors to the public in autumn 2022.

Fiona said: “We are inching closer. This theatre is the people’s theatre of the community here at Tollcross and for Edinburgh.

“For us, it’s a huge privilege to be stewarding the process and bringing it back to its former glory.”