Theatre Scotland visits many theatres, we love the historical buildings which have been designed for the purpose to tell stories and entertain. However, there is no building quite like Edinburgh King’s Theatre, it is a culture hub, a major piece of theatrical heritage in Scotland, and in just over a month, we may lose it forever. This is devastating. You don’t need to be a die-hard theatre fan to understand how fundamental it is that this building remains part of Scotland’s theatre industry. It is a magnificent theatre which has so much potential, so much history and it’s walls hold a rich ambience, every time you walk through it’s foyer you just feel the history, the creativity and the excitement.
As reported at the end of August 2022, when the King’s Theatre closed in preparation for its transformational redevelopment, a funding gap has placed the King’s future in peril. £26 million has been successfully fundraised by Capital Theatres, but inflation, global conflict and changing trading agreements means that the project will cost an estimated £8.9m more.
City of Edinburgh Council’s bid to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund has been unsuccessful. This grant would have been a crucial contribution towards the funding gap for the King’s Redevelopment project caused by inflation, global conflict and changing trade routes.
If this money is not found before the building is due to be signed over to the contractors in 35 days, we will not be able to keep the project on track and costs will spiral. The King’s could close its doors forever and the city will lose an essential venue and a vital cultural hub for its communities.
Funding from public bodies and generous donations have helped to get us this far but we now need increased support from statutory funders, Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council and the UK Government to see this project over the line.
Fiona Gibson CEO of Capital Theatres said:
“This really is the last chance saloon for the King’s.
It’s been a long road planning and fundraising for the capital redevelopment of the King’s Theatre to turn it into both a thriving community hub, fully accessible to audiences and performers, and a world class venue, while maintaining its history and heritage. Nearly all the original capital cost estimate of £26 million to transform the King’s is in place thanks to grants from the Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund; generous donations from our patrons and donors, companies and trusts; as well as Capital Theatres’ own contribution. We are incredibly proud of the collective effort to reach this figure.
However, as with all construction projects in the UK currently, we are facing new challenges because of delays in supply chain caused by changing trading agreements, global conflict and increasing levels of inflation. Due to these factors, it has emerged in the last few months that the project costs will increase by an estimated £8.9m. We’ve examined our options and we cannot reduce the project cost any further by value engineering and to delay the redevelopment could lead to even higher costs in the long-term, putting the entire project at risk. If the money is not found in the next few weeks, the last opportunity for us to greenlight the project, the King’s could close its doors forever.
We know what a difficult time this is to be asking for additional funding with so much financial need in every area of civic life, but as custodians of this beloved theatre, we have to fight for its survival.
From the moment the funding gap emerged we have been in close contact and working with key funders including the Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Council and the UK Government. We need their support to deliver this transformative redevelopment for Tollcross, Edinburgh and Scottish Theatre, ensuring the King’s Theatre is there for generations to come.”
Brian Cox, Honorary Patron of the King’s Theatre said:
“The King’s is vital to the Scottish Theatre ecology and a key touring venue which brings a variety of genres to the central belt; not to mention a source of comfort and joy in panto season. Without the planned transformational redevelopment improving access, preserving heritage and opening the building up to the community, the King’s will close its doors forever. After a hugely successful fundraising effort to reach the original budgeted cost of £26 million, we cannot let the rising costs due to inflation, trade agreements and global conflict put the project in peril. We must save the King’s for future generations.”
This is the last chance, the Scottish theatre industry NEEDS to rally round the King’s and protect it for future generations of artists and creatives.
Theatre Scotland 