Capital Theatres

Capital Theatres operates three busy theatre venues in Edinburgh; the Festival Theatre, the King’s Theatre and The Studio. Operating as a registered Scottish charity, we present world-class shows to entertain and inspire audiences of all ages.

Capital Theatres present world-class shows to entertain and inspire audiences of all ages.

We stage over 700 performances each year, at the Festival Theatre (1,900 seats), the King’s Theatre (1,300 seats) and The Studio (155 seats) in a broad and inclusive programme featuring the very best in drama, dance, musical theatre, live music, comedy and pantomime.

Much of our programme is exclusive to our venues in Scotland, providing the only opportunity for audiences to see the biggest shows touring north of the border, the best in international contemporary dance and the latest productions from leading local and national companies.

During the summer months our stages are the heart of the Edinburgh Festivals in the world’s leading festival city. The Festivals provide a focus for pioneering new voices and artforms and a celebration of artistic collaboration that continues throughout the year.

We support access to the arts for everyone and have an extensive learning and participation programme of talks, workshops and events to introduce and develop engagement and interest in the heritage of our buildings and all areas of live performance.

Public engagement...

Our Learning and Participation programme creates a range of ways for people to discover and explore the performing arts, as audience members, and as participants and artists in creative projects. That means we’ve done some extraordinary things over the years: from building a giant beanstalk in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, to making original films and dance works with all of Edinburgh’s special schools. So, in the same way that you might buy a ticket for a stand-up gig, a ballet or a musical at a Capital Theatres venue, you might also attend a tea party with live music, try tap dancing or write original songs based on your neighbourhood.

Our Theatres...

FESTIVAL THEATRE

Situated on Edinburgh's longest continuous theatre site in the heart of Edinburgh, the Festival Theatre has a modern glass-fronted foyer, revealing a plush art-deco auditorium. The Festival Theatre has an attractive period auditorium dating back to 1928.

Location - 13-29 Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9FT.

THE STUDIO

Situated in Potterrow, The Studio is a contemporary, flexible space that can accommodate a wide range of uses from rehearsals and workshops to small-scale performances and festivals. The Studio has a modern flexible seating bank offering reserved and unreserved seating options.

Location - 22 Potterrow, it looks onto Edinburgh University Students' Association's dome.

KING'S THEATRE

An architectural gem and a cornerstone in the cultural life of Edinburgh, the King's opened its doors in 1906 with the pantomime, Cinderella.

Now the King’s is Edinburgh’s home of West End drama and quality touring theatre, ensuring local audiences have the chance to see some of the UK’s most prolific actors and best touring productions on home turf.

Managed by Capital Theatres, this beloved venue earns its place as ‘the people’s theatre’ by remaining committed to supporting Edinburgh’s long tradition of amateur operatic and musical societies, as well as playing host to the annual Edinburgh Gang Show extravaganza.

Location - 2 Leven St, Edinburgh EH3 9LQ.