Wednesday January 14th 2026
New stage at King's Theatre
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre has been awarded £2.5 million (£1.25 million from this year and £1.25 million from 26/27) from the Scottish Government, closing the funding gap for the main construction works needed to redevelop the much-loved Tollcross theatre.
With the capital funding now in place due to yesterdays Budget announcement, the fundraising secured will continue to ensure the King’s Theatre is fully equipped and ready to welcome audiences when it reopens this summer.
The theatre’s redevelopment has been described as a ‘remarkable asset for Edinburgh’, with Independent Lothian MSP Jeremy Balfour, who lobbied for the additional funding, explaining that the funding secured in yesterday’s draft Budget will give ‘a much-needed financial boost to the Tollcross area’.
With the Budget announced in Parliament yesterday, alongside the funding secured for the theatre, Finance Secretary Shona Robison also confirmed a previously announced £20 million for Creative Scotland which allocates multi-year funding to Scotland’s arts organisations, and funding to create a new building operated by the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh’s Granton region.
Welcoming the King’s Theatre funding announcement, Chief Executive of Capital Theatre, Fiona Gibson, explained:
“This funding from the Scottish Government comes at a hugely significant moment for the King’s Theatre and for everyone who has worked so hard to bring this project to life.
“We are incredibly grateful for their support, and for the backing of the many people who have believed in this project, contributed and championed it every step of the way. The King’s holds a special place in the hearts of Edinburgh audiences, and being able to bring it back to life feels truly special.
“As we look ahead to reopening, we are excited to welcome back Edinburgh communities and our loyal audiences to the King’s Theatre in July.
The overall redevelopment is ambitious in both scale and scope. Since construction began in February 2023, the iconic building has been slowly transformed by structural improvements, including a raised fly tower (extended by 4.5 metres) to accommodate larger, more ambitious productions, and the replacement of the old stage with a new level surface better suited for genres such as dance and circus.
With opening only months away, Fiona Gibson expressed the excitement for the up-coming shows and festivals:
“Edinburgh International Festival will return in August, closely followed by our own opening season of exceptional variety and quality in the autumn – including the Olivier Award-winning Operation Mincemeat – and of course the pantomime returning to its spiritual home in Tollcross. The record-breaking early ticket sales for our 2026 pantomime, The Adventures of Pinocchio, show just how excited audiences are to come back. We cannot wait to open the doors and share the renewed and reimagined King’s with the city once again.”
The team behind the redevelopment have explained that accessibility is at the heart of the project with, once reopened, the theatre being one of a few heritage-listed theatres in the UK with lifts serving all levels of the building, creating a level journey from street to seat or stage for the first time in the theatre’s 120-year history.
The theatre will also include a publicly registered Changing Places Toilet for use by anyone who needs it in the Tollcross area.
Open all day, the King’s theatre aims to offer a welcoming new public space that includes a street-level cafe, a Creative Engagement Studio for workshops, community projects and events, alongside a range of heritage displays and artefacts on display.
Alongside the physical transformations, the theatre’s rich history is celebrated by The People’s Archive – a digital archive of more than 3,000 items contributed by audiences, performers and staff.
Highlighting the financial boost to the area, MSP Jeremy Balfour explained:
“As a local MSP, I know how important the Kings Theatre is to the local community and people and I have ensured that this historic landmark will continue to host local, national and international theatre productions for generations to come.
“The redeveloped King’s Theatre, with its new café, social spaces and accessible facilities, will give a much-needed financial boost to the Tollcross area of Edinburgh and be a welcoming and inclusive space for all.
“I am proud to have championed the refurbishment and reopening of the Kings’ Theatre in Edinburgh in the Scottish Parliament. The King’s Theatre offers a full theatre experience, from large-scale musicals to local productions, ensuring there’s something for everyone, and I for one can’t wait to see what the programme for July 2026 and beyond has in store.”
The £2.5 million award from the Scottish Government closes the funding gap for the main construction works. Capital Theatres, which manages the King’s Theatre, continues fundraising to support the finishing touches of the project, ensuring the interior of the historic Edwardian venue is restored to its full splendour.
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