King's Theatre Honorary Patron, Brian Cox, narrates our latest King's update

Capital Theatres has released a flythrough digital animation giving an artist’s impression of the redevelopment of the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh which started in earnest earlier this year after a crisis campaign brought the project back from the brink.

The flythrough is voiced by King’s Theatre Honorary Patron Brian Cox. The Succession star (the series reaches its finale today in the UK) has been integral to the campaign to save the King’s.

The animation showcases some of the major improvements of this transformative project including:

• A new street level café – the first step into what will be a thriving daytime community hub for Tollcross
  
  
• Level entry from seat to street to stage with new lifts and wide staircases which will allow better access for audiences and artists, whatever their needs, for the first time in the building’s history
  
  
• New bars and entertaining spaces will ease interval crowding and offer new hospitality opportunities
  
  
• More comfortable seating in the upper circle
  
  
• A new fully accessible double height Creative Engagement Studio to inspire a life-long love of theatre across the generations 
  
  
• A state-of-the-art scenery fly system, de-raked stage and better orchestra pit will allow a broader range of productions to tour to the King’s
  
  
• Improved sightlines and ventilation in the auditorium for a superb audience experience
  
  
• The King’s precious history and heritage will be preserved and celebrated

A huge fundraising campaign is allowing the King’s Theatre to survive.

Thanks to the commitment from many donors, the Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Capital Theatres (the charity which manages the council-owned venue), the project is up and running. There is still £1.5m to raise to see the redevelopment through to its conclusion.

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. It is now undergoing an exciting redevelopment, bringing her into the 21st century, addressing access problems, and preserving her future as a beating cultural heart for generations to come...

Fiona Gibson CEO of Capital Theatres who runs the King’s Theatre said: 

“Now the project is underway it’s hugely inspiring to watch the flythrough which hints at the vital new life the redevelopment will bring to our beloved King’s Theatre. The café will open up the building by day for the local community of Tollcross; the improved access will make it a truly democratic space; there’ll be greater comfort and excellent hospitality; an inspirational creative engagement space; and a stage to welcome an even greater variety of performances...