Glasgow King's Theatre 'increasingly unable to host large productions'

Glasgow’s King’s Theatre could be brought up to the “standard” required to host bigger shows to prevent the city from losing out to Edinburgh.

The King’s – the largest capacity theatre in the city – needs investment to host the “highest profile” touring productions.

Talks are ongoing between Glasgow City Council and ATG Entertainment, formerly Ambassador Theatre Group, which operates the A-listed Bath Street venue.

The council transferred the theatre’s day-to-day management to Glasgow Theatres Ltd (GTL), part of ATG, in 2002.

It was the firm’s first venue in Scotland, although they now also manage the Theatre Royal in Glasgow as well as the Edinburgh Playhouse.

Councillors will be asked to approve off-market negotiations with GTL over a new long-term lease for the theatre on Thursday. It was previously reported in 2023 that the theatre required a revamp to attract major shows “like Hamilton and the Lion King”.

At the time, councillors agreed to include an exclusivity agreement in a new short-term lease for the theatre. It ensured the council couldn’t take “any other expressions of interest in managing or running the theatre”.

A longer-term lease renewal was expected once a redevelopment plan had been made. The current lease ends in 2029.

In a report for Thursday’s meeting, council officials state: “The theatre opened in 1904 and sits in a confined footprint. It is increasingly unable to present the larger productions, which are becoming both more numerous and desirable.

“This means the King’s will lose its key status without investment and a programme of change, and those highest profile shows will, for the most part, only be able to be accommodated in Edinburgh due to the significantly lower seating capacity at the Theatre Royal, which makes it economically unviable for most producers of these ‘premium’ productions.

“Discussions have been taking place to bring the theatre to a standard to host larger productions.

“The council would seek to continue to work in partnership with GTL to achieve the aims noted and would seek to provide security in this location via a longer-term lease.”

A future paper is expected to be developed, which provides more information on “discussions regarding the future redevelopment of the theatre” if authority to start lease negotiations is granted.

Officials addthat GTL has carried out restoration and improvement work, including new carpet in the auditorium, a new orchestra pit railing and preparations for the installation of air conditioning.

King’s Theatre attracts over 450,000 visitors annually, driving footfall in the city centre and supporting local businesses, the report states.