Thursday June 18th 2026
Seats have been installed at all levels of the King’s Theatre auditorium (photo: Anneleen Lindsay)
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The Edinburgh King’s Theatre redevelopment approaches the final stages in the latest project update from Capital Theatres.
The seats have now been installed across all levels of the auditorium marking a key milestone in the redevelopment project. The restored and improved King’s Theatre now holds 1,125 seats, including brand-new seats in the Upper Circle with higher backs for improved comfort, alongside the reinstallation of deep-cleaned and restored original seats in the Dress Circle and Stalls.
Accessibility is significantly enhanced across the building. The auditorium now includes 8 dedicated wheelchair spaces in the Stalls and 2 in the Dress Circle. In addition, 40 seats with hinged armrests have been installed to enable easy transfer from a wheelchair in the Stalls, alongside 12 wider seats, helping to create a more accessible and welcoming experience for all audience members.
Focus is now turning to the final decorative touches in the auditorium following the installation of new flooring, panelling, and both heritage and new doors throughout the space. Work on the auditorium boxes is also progressing well as the project enters its final few weeks.
Monday night saw the arrival of the steel frame for the new front entrance canopy, marking another significant milestone in the project. Once the canopy installation is complete, the public walkway will reopen, restoring pedestrian access and bringing the King’s Theatre one step closer to welcoming audiences back through its doors.
Fiona Gibson, Chief Executive of Capital Theatres, said: “Each day we are getting closer and more excited about reopening the doors and raising the curtain once more in our beloved King’s Theatre. Our newest project update really reflects the refreshed feeling of the King’s, more accessible than ever before, almost ready to share extraordinary experiences with audiences again.”
Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group which is delivering the construction said: “As we approach completion of the King’s Theatre, it’s incredibly rewarding to see such an iconic building brought sensitively into the modern era. This project has been about more than construction, it’s about preserving a much loved cultural landmark, while creating a theatre that is fully accessible, future ready and capable of welcoming the next generation of performers and audiences. We’re proud to have played our part in delivering a high quality venue that will sit at the heart of Edinburgh’s cultural life for decades to come.”
Jo Dunwell, Bennetts Associates, said: “Bennetts Associates are delighted to see King’s Theatre approaching opening and proud of what we have achieved together with the whole project team. We can’t wait to see the building full of people making use of the improved facilities and exciting new public spaces and, of course, seeing some fantastic shows.”
Read the full project update here.
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