King’s Theatre

About

Affectionately known as the “Grand Old Lady of Leven Street,” the King’s Theatre has been a cornerstone of Edinburgh’s cultural life since opening in 1906. Renowned for its opulent Edwardian architecture and warm, welcoming atmosphere, it has hosted everything from West End tours and drama to comedy and its much‑loved annual pantomime. Currently undergoing a major redevelopment, the project aims to preserve the theatre’s historic character while enhancing comfort, accessibility, and backstage facilities for future generations. Alongside performances, the King’s celebrates its heritage through initiatives like The People’s Archive, a growing digital collection of photographs, programmes, and personal stories that capture over a century of theatrical history. Whether you come for the glitter of opening night or to explore its rich past, the King’s remains a place where Edinburgh gathers to be entertained, inspired, and connected through the magic of live performance.

Edinburgh Scotland
King’s Theatre
Location

King’s Theatre is located at 2 Leven Street in the Tollcross area of Edinburgh, near the south end of Lothian Road and opposite Scotmid. This iconic theatre, a Category A-listed building, has been a cultural landmark since it opened in 1906 and features an opulent interior with a capacity for approximately 1,350 patrons. The theatre is easily accessible from the city centre, with nearby Haymarket and Waverley train stations and several bus routes serving Leven Street. Surrounding King’s Theatre are popular Edinburgh attractions including Princes Street for shopping, the bustling West End, and various dining options such as contemporary restaurants and cozy pubs. The location blends the vibrancy of city life with the theatre’s historic charm, making it a central hub for live performances and entertainment in Edinburgh.

National Museum of Scotland National Museum of Scotland Museum Museum of Edinburgh Museum of Edinburgh Museum Surgeons’ Hall Museums Surgeons’ Hall Museums Museum Museum of Childhood Edinburgh Museum of Childhood Edinburgh Museum Museum on the Mound Museum on the Mound Museum National War Museum of Scotland National War Museum of Scotland Museum Newhaven Heritage Museum Newhaven Heritage Museum Museum People’s Story Museum People’s Story Museum Museum Writers’ Museum Writers’ Museum Museum St Cecilia’s Hall St Cecilia’s Hall Museum Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage Museum Corstorphine Heritage Centre Corstorphine Heritage Centre Museum Queensferry Museum Queensferry Museum Museum Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum Museum Royal Observatory Visitor Centre Royal Observatory Visitor Centre Observatory Our Dynamic Earth Our Dynamic Earth Museum Trinity House Maritime Museum Trinity House Maritime Museum Museum Museum of Magic, Fortune-Telling & Witchcraft Museum of Magic, Fortune-Telling & Witchcraft Museum Festival Theatre Festival Theatre Theatre Edinburgh Playhouse Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre Queen’s Hall Queen’s Hall Theatre Usher Hall Usher Hall Theatre Royal Lyceum Theatre Royal Lyceum Theatre Theatre Traverse Theatre Traverse Theatre Theatre Bedlam Theatre Bedlam Theatre Theatre Church Hill Theatre Church Hill Theatre Theatre Rose Theatre Rose Theatre Theatre Scottish Storytelling Centre Scottish Storytelling Centre Theatre Summerhall Summerhall Theatre St Stephen’s Theatre St Stephen’s Theatre Theatre Festival Square Theatre Festival Square Theatre Theatre Leith Theatre Leith Theatre Theatre Portobello Town Hall Portobello Town Hall Theatre Scottish National Portrait Gallery Scottish National Portrait Gallery Gallery Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Gallery City Art Centre City Art Centre Gallery Collective Gallery Collective Gallery Gallery Fruitmarket Gallery Fruitmarket Gallery Gallery Open Eye Gallery Open Eye Gallery Gallery Leith Walk Gallery Leith Walk Gallery Gallery Braewell Gallery Braewell Gallery Gallery Dovecot Studios Dovecot Studios Gallery Morningside Gallery Morningside Gallery Gallery West End Craft & Design Fair West End Craft & Design Fair Gallery Bourne Fine Art Gallery Bourne Fine Art Gallery Gallery Red Door Gallery Red Door Gallery Gallery Marchmont Gallery Marchmont Gallery Gallery Talbot Rice Gallery Talbot Rice Gallery Gallery Torrance Gallery Torrance Gallery Gallery Gallery TEN Gallery TEN Gallery Wasps Patriothall Studios and Gallery Wasps Patriothall Studios and Gallery Gallery Rhubaba Gallery and Studios Rhubaba Gallery and Studios Gallery Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Castle Castle Palace of Holyroodhouse Palace of Holyroodhouse Castle Craigmillar Castle Craigmillar Castle Castle Holyrood Park Holyrood Park Park Princes Street Gardens Princes Street Gardens Park The Meadows The Meadows Park Inverleith Park Inverleith Park Park Calton Hill Calton Hill Park Harrison Park Harrison Park Park Victoria Park Victoria Park Park Pilrig Park Pilrig Park Park Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Museum Arthur’s Seat Arthur’s Seat Mountain Peak Scott Monument Scott Monument Monument The Royal Mile The Royal Mile Tourist attractions St Giles’ Cathedral St Giles’ Cathedral Cathedral Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Botanical Garden Dean Village Dean Village Tourist attractions Innocent Railway Tunnel & Path Innocent Railway Tunnel & Path Historical Landmark The Real Mary King’s Close The Real Mary King’s Close Historical Landmark The Scotch Whisky Experience The Scotch Whisky Experience Tourist attractions The Edinburgh Dungeon The Edinburgh Dungeon Tourist attractions Grassmarket Grassmarket Street Stockbridge Market Stockbridge Market Market Edinburgh Farmers’ Market Edinburgh Farmers’ Market Market Leith Market Leith Market Market Tron Kirk Market Tron Kirk Market Market Ocean Terminal Market Ocean Terminal Market Market