Until very recently, I had never actually been to the King's. I'd been to the Playhouse, Festival, Lyceum and Traverse theatres, but not the King's. Time to change that. On Wednesday, I came here to see the new touring production of Dracula, and it was fantastic. The cast, costumes, set and lighting design, down to the special effects all felt like the spectacle of a West End production. It did not feel like a touring production at all, and I can assure that if you catch it on tour, you won't be disappointed. The King's itself is a gorgeous theatre, if not slightly dated. The actual auditorium is beautiful, with a glorious domed ceiling and beautiful ornate box seating areas, but I thought the bar and foyer areas seemed a bit pokey. The theatre is due to close for a major refurbishment in 2021, so hopefully they'll do something about the foyer. The prices for programmes, ice creams, drinks etc are the usual for theatres - slightly overpriced. The in-house programmes are £3.50 which I think is quite a good deal, as the programme for Dracula had a gorgeous design and contained lots of information about the show. I'd imagine that the contents will vary between productions. Ice cream is £3 which is a bit of a rip off to be honest, but it's S Luca so you know you're paying for quality. There is a Scotmid across the street if you want to be cheap. Most theatres tend to have a supermarket chain around the corner, I guess to make trade off anyone who doesn't want to pay extortionate bar prices. Overall, I enjoyed my visit to the King's and I can't wait to come back to see some more top notch plays! read more

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I saw a few shows there and I always like to go back for more, not only because I really like this old theater inside and out. The interior and exterior are both mystic and spooky in its own way. Being one of the last to leave after a show really lets you explore this place. Walk up and down the stairs and take in the presence of old time past. Apparently the theater was founded around 1850 and pretty much still display ,or seem to, all its original features: boisterous chandeliers, large stair cases, red carpets and curtains, amazing architecture and lustrous statues. It is is also true that the seats are not the most comfortable or that it is not always easy to see the screen with people sitting infront of you or that the downstairs hallways are quite tight and could cause claustrophobic feelings. But this should not be a reason to miss out on a spectacular show only because you are not into old places. read more

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Yer Granny Tue 2 to Sat 6 June 2015 King's Theatre 7.30pm The National Theatre of Scotland's star studded cast takes on award-winning Scottish playwright Douglas Maxwell's version of Roberto La Cossa's, La Nona. The Argentinian comedy classic, has been relocated to a flat above a failed chip shop in Glasgow. This is 1977, the year of the Queen's Silver Jubilee, an era of turbulent economics and the pre Thatcher recession. We are welcomed by a highly detailed 1970s stage set design. The hideously 70's patterned stained walls have been manufactured in such a way creating the illusion of perspective. In hobbles Granny scoffing a family size packet of crisps. Played by Gregor Fisher and as endearingly repulsive as his Rab C Nesbitt, Nana clearly has an unyielding appetite. The housewife, daughter-in-law Marie (Maureen Beattie) nervously and frantically cooks the Russo's family meal, as Nana devours the last few crumbs and eagerly looks around for her next course. Cameron or Cammy, husband to Marie (Jonathan Watson) has big dreams to re-open his chip shop, The Minerva Fish Bar, in time for the royal Jubilee and re-enacts his imaginary meeting with the Queen over a sausage. Auntie Angela's (Barbara Rafferty) failed courtship with the families rival chip shop owner, Donnie Francisco (Brian Pettifer) means she resides with the Russo's now. Angela's a prim but dithery and innocent spinster who feels she is a financial hindrance to the family, yet blindly encourages Cammy's brother, Charlie's (Paul Riley) musical non-talent, a camouflage for his work-shy lazy attitude. Airhead blonde daughter, Marissa, (Louise McCarthy) who would literally do anything to be her daddy's wee lamb, proudly works for a Zen 'chemist' who - unknown to her - is actually a drug dealer! All the while the plot line develops, granny is slumped in a seat consuming buns, crisps, toast, biscuits, stew or picking and eating crumbs between the folds of her clothes. Devouring every last morsel like an ill-mannered hog. When she's not eating food, she's talking about food! As the poor struggling married couple, Marie and Cammy, discuss their financial problems, granny obliviously but happily licks the icing off a cake hidden by Marie. Marie exclaims Charlie needs to sign on and either Granny goes or her! One by one members of the family begin to realise Nana is the problem. At the ripe old age of 100 she shows no signs of decline despite brother Charlie's best efforts. Charlie bribes Nana to visit the shows for candy, but devilishly leaves her there. The family anxiously search for her, she's nowhere to be seen, Charlie attempts to persuade the family of their newly found freedom just as Nana returns full of joy with a lollypop... Cameron turns to Charlie and says "Maybe it's time to take it to the next level..." After the interval, the living room is noticeably considerably bare, evidence of Marie's desperate attempts to sell household possessions to make money. Auntie Angela in an attempt to prove her worth unsuspectingly helps Marissa sell 'energy pills' and becomes delirious after taking some! Meanwhile brother Charlie comes up with a master plan involving the old perverted and horny enemy Donnie Francisco. Marie leaves in disgust, bailiffs take all their possessions and the family falls apart. And finally with every one of nana's family either dead or fled, a pool of light shines down on her and she ogles the audience and repeats... "Whits that yiv got?!" A surreal and hilarious piece loaded with surprises, 70's sexism and economic realism we can still relate to today. read more

Yay a proper old theatre! My first visit to the Kings and I loved it :-) The Kings Theatre has been getting a bit of a face lift recently so I'm not sure based on my first visit what is different but the scaffolding is down. When I glanced up to the boxes, surrounded by plush red velvet and gold detail, I was reminded of Anna Karenina and I could imagine Yelpers Anna K and Count V throwing sultry glances each others way across their boxes, grabbing the opera glasses for a closer look, and waxing lyrical about the hidden nooks and crannies where the bars and little tables are hidden as they arrange their next romantic assignation.... It is really an old style theatre, with marble floors, hidden bars and cute tables for secluded drinking. I can only assume everything internally as been refublished as the paintwork looked restored, floors shiny and the gorgeous period detail had been enhanced. Seats were plush velvet and although like most theatres, not the most comfortable if you are tall or have long legs, they were ok and bareable for the duration of the performance. So, I was charmed by this theatre. I suspect that costs for the refurbishment may be recapped through the tickets so it won't be a cheap night out. It is still a lovely experience if you want to leave behind the modern and go for something more old world... read more

King's Theatre - Interior - theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

The Kings Theatre (or Festival Theatre, if you want to be picky) holds a very special place in my heart! Every Christmas they play host to the always-enjoyable and never-cheesy Christmas Panto! Everybody loves panto...oh no they don't. oh yes they do! The theatre itself is in a great location, just off Lothian Road and has been around for years. It offers a brilliant choice of plays and dramas and is a venue for Edinburgh's local amateur societies. It has maintained it's traditional style and retro appearance but still managed to make it look good - I'm sure you'll know what I mean by that musty smell that always seems to be in old theatres ? Although there is a must in the Kings Theatre, it is very faint. Ok, the seats are old-fashioned and crams everybody in so you can barely move throughout the performance, and ok the bathrooms have seen better days, but it's all part of the experience! I always make sure I visit the Kings Theatre for my Panto fix at Christmas, and always keep an eye out to see what is coming. It's a great place to experience theatre at a low-ish price and in a nice environment. The last play I went to see was Calendar Girls, so you can understand the calibre of performances to expect at the Kings Theatre. read more

King's Theatre - The Kings Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Funny as panto is, the shows are always marred by a tinge of sadness. The washed up ex-soap actors on stage are often literally dead behind the eyes, and you know that in a couple of years when you read about their suicide in the corner of page 35 of The Daily Star, that their stint in panto was probably one of the deciding factors. Their agent told them it'd be Broadway, instead it was the King's, halfheartedly spitting out dated innuendo to a half empty auditorium, scattered with drunk dinner ladies, bored schoolkids and gay irony peddlers. The bleakness of panto is perhaps what I love most about it, and thus I often find watching a former celebrity's descent into the depths still to be a highlight in The King's busy lineup. As you'd expect, the rest of the material on offer here tends to go down the mainstream route, which is often preferable to the gratuitous nudity and feminist messages you'll be relentlessly subjected to on the artier side if the scene. Great traditional decor too, and all round just a pretty wonderful place. read more

My regular experiences at the Kings Theatre occur every year at Christmas time, when I go to see whatever pantomime is showing with my wee cousins, who actually now seem to be getting to that age where they think it's all a bit too childish. I, however, don't seem to have reached that stage yet, and still chuckle away at all the super cheesey gags and take great immature joy in joining in with the chanting and general "he's behind you" panto talk. It's just good honest no frills comedy, although I may have to sit with my sweeties and ice cream on my own this year, if my younger relatives decide this is the year to become grown up. As well as the annual panto, the theatre also hosts plays and productions all year round. The theatre space itself is very traditional and retro looking, which I enjoy, as coming to a theatre like this still gives that feeling of a grand, old fashioned night out in striking surroundings. read more

Lovely theatre, super pretty in an ancient way. Hashers will show you to your seats, there are many toilets and bars inside. Feels a bit like a maze but not in a bad way. I watched "Legally Blond" there and it was nice. Sat downstairs which was ok but I wouldn't recommend sitting too far away on the ground floor, you better seat in the upper circle as seating in the back of the lower circle you get a good view of the stage but totally miss out the pretty theatre. I found it easy to reach but super hard to find an open café after 17 or 18 around, so don't count on a nice cup of coffee before a show. read more

King's Theatre - Nice, but far from perfection - Performing Arts Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Excellent theatre, the decor is opulent, the seats are comfy, there are plenty of toilets to cope with the interval rush and the bar staff are quick and efficient! The quality of the shows is second to none & ticket prices are reasonable! Always a must for the panto at christmas! read more

After going to see 'Trainspotting' and 'The Twits' in the Kings Theatre I was very impressed not only by the production but by the theatre itself. The elegance of the King's Theatre is unrivalled and despite being in need of some renovation you can still admire the painting of the ceiling and red velvet seats. The value for money is excellent as the productions are usually excellent. The range of productions that are hosted by the King's Theatre is second to none so there will be a play for you at some point each year. There is also several pantomime productions and child friendly plays which makes it a perfect setting for family theatre. read more

A theatre fit for a king...well, yes, in fact. The King's theatre is a grand and decadent setting for dramatic and emotive theatre productions. Set amongst marble and plush gold encrustations, it is an ideal setting for some Shakespeare. Indeed, it tends to attract tradtional theatre productions and high-quality acting performances. Wear something smart, sample some fine wine and sit back and enjoy the show! read more

I went to see the play The Importance of Being Ernest at the Kings and I have to say I cannot imagine a better setting to have watched it in. The Kings is a traditional red velvet seats and curtains with gold coloured decoration kind of place, and although it is slightly on the worn looking side, for me that just adds to the authenticity of it. The usher staff and the bar staff are very friendly. The only downside is the same as most theatres - not enough ladies toilets!!! read more

I'm a novice theatre goer in Edinburgh, probably cause over the years I had a few disappointing experiences and been wary to randomly pick a show to go to... A colleague of mine choreographed legally blond at the Kings theatre last month, the show started at 7pm and I was 15 mins late... To top it up I also wasn't the one who had tickets for the group, well thankfully for everyone else though I was wondering how I would get in... The staff were really accommodating and kept my tickets at the doors, once I arrived one of their staff quietly took me to my seat and did so without making me feel an ounce guilty. The seats there were comfortable, loved the decorations on the high ceiling, great view from the balcony as both the stage and orchestra were clearly visible. A couple hiccup with their sound system but other than that everything went smoothly. At the interval there was a bar for drinks and you all time ice cream break, I bet you won't be surprised me telling you I went for their mackies ice-cream pot! Yes I would definitely go back, yes next time I'll be in time I promise! read more

it's been years since i've been to the king's theatre so when i attended go back for murder with the yelp book group i was pleasantly surprised. someone had mentioned to me that the theatre had been refurbished after being briefly closed. and indeed it had been! the lobby remains the same with the nice old marble floors and stairs leading the various levels of seating. we wandered into the stalls and sat down on some newly uphosltered seats. they were red and plush and there was loads of space in between the rows so i could put my bag down and still have space for my feet. quite a nice feature when you're a girl who carries a large hand bag. it also looked like all the cornice work had been cleaned and fresly painted and the private boxes newly upholstered as well. i think even the floors might have been new! so everything was very new and shiny! i can't make much mention of the other areas as i only sat in my seat, i didn't buy concessions (although these seemed a bit highly priced), get a drink from the bar, or use the toilets. but the rest of the yelpers that did use these parts seemed to find it satisfactory. in terms of the play, it was only ok a bit dry and didn't seem to have the same dramatic build up as the book it was based on. this is hardly a comment on the theatre though. so yes, the kings theatre is lovely and newly refurbished so very enjoyable to go for a show. if something takes my interest i'll definitely make a trip back there. read more

What to say about the Kings...well since my first visit as a nipper to see the famous Stanley Baxter and co as dames, during annual panto season. To my last show in 2012 to listen to a couple of guys whom played piano and told a story of their lifestyle and upbringing whilst learning to play an instrument from an early age...to the recent play "Translations". Set in an Irish school, in 1833, it sets the scene the British Army tasked to translate place names from ancient Irish Gaelic to the King's English. Owen, brother teacher Manus, returns after period in Dublin, acting as translator and go-between for the British and Irish, a love triangle between Yolland, Manus, and a local woman, Máire, complicates things? Directed by acclaimed actor and director, Adrian Dunbar. Translations was the first production by Field Day Theatre Company founded by Tony Award Winner Friel and Stephen Rea, is creatively produced play from one of the greatest living English-language dramatists. Quite frankly sitting in an art deco styled theatre such as the refurb'd Kings, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in London's Soho/theatre district; both places should be twinned and adorned by Luvvies alike for sheer exuberance. Edina is so lucky to have a real theatre that had it's ups and downs over the years, and lucky me for getting a chance to see this one...recommended to all who like a good "Ménage à trois", a few laughs and possibly tears! Even nowadays people daily don't dress like they do in this play anymore, but if you like period costume and have a hunger to see, these cossys, but not in a museum then you may have missed your chance, for now! 4 stars, five if they were to reduce the price of G&T's, gets my thumbs up! read more

I went to this place a small couple of weeks ago and the srevice was exellent. I was shown to my seat and shown where the bar was at break time. I rate the service marks, the only problem was at the second half someone sat in front of me which I suppose can not be helped. read more

This is a stunning theatre which is a real piece of history in Edinburgh. Located at Tollcross, this was indeed established as the theatre built for the King. Take time to stand outside and cast your eye over the exterior of the building, it really is lovely and I know nothing about architecture, but I'm impressed! Inside, I really expect it to look a bit careworn, but actually it doesn't feel that way at all - they have maintained the feeling of utter elegance at the Kings, lush red velvet seats and curtains, chandeliers and gold braiding, it truly is a lovely experience and adds to the excitement of the evening's entertainment. T There is a small sweetie kiosk, although most visitors tend to nip across the road to the local Scotmid during the intervals. There's also a bar upstairs too, as well as the obligatory toilets - although I do wish they'd bear in mind that us Ladies usually end up in a huge queue at interval time, there are never enough toilets, no matter where you go, and unfortunately the Kings Theatre is no exception. hings were not looking too good for a while a couple of years back, when there was a campaign to save the theatre, and I truly hope that it will survive and it's a real gem. read more