Theatres
the Festival Theatre
the Usher Hall
Playhouse Theatre during the Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh and the Lothians offer a fantastic variety of productions staged in amazing theatres. Settle down in a comfy chair and enjoy work by big companies such as Scottish Opera and the National Theatre of Scotland or see leading amateur performances.
Festival Theatre
The Festival Theatre is a huge glass-fronted building in the Old Town and has a 1,900-seater theatre that offers an inspiring programme of big budget dance and drama throughout the year.
Opened in 1994, the stunning venue is the largest performance area in Scotland, second only to the Royal Opera House in the UK. It is also the capital’s home for Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera, and is one of the leading dance houses in the world.
King’s Theatre
The King’s Theatre is home to major touring dramas including West End, National Theatre of Scotland and Royal Shakespeare Company productions. Built as a variety theatre in 1906, the 1350-seat venue has played host to performers such as Stanley Baxter, Rikki Fulton and Jimmy Logan. Every year the King’s Theatre holds the ever-popular pantomime and a number of local amateur society productions.
Lyceum Theatre
For mainstream drama, the beautiful Victorian Royal Lyceum theatre is the venue. They have a resident company that produces top quality classic revivals and the theatre also receives acclaimed touring productions.
Playhouse
The Playhouse also offers space for big productions in its multi-purpose theatre that seats more than 3,000. This is the place for big music names such as Jools Holland and Nick Cave, touring West End musicals and opera.
Traverse Theatre
The Traverse is the new writing theatre and has built a reputation that sees theatregoers from around Scotland flocking to see the cutting edge work. Here you will find new plays by some of Scotland's finest writers including Henry Adam, David Greig and Rona Munro.
Church Hill Theatre
A former church, the Church Hill Theatre is a stunning venue and is one of Scotland’s leading non-professional theatres. Used regularly for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the theatre also hosts non-professional theatre and dance companies including Edinburgh Music Theatre Company, Leith Theatre, Edinburgh University Footlights and Lothian Youth Arts.
Brunton Theatre
Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh, East Lothian, offers a range of shows for all the family with music, theatre, dance and film. Productions here include drama, dance, comedy, children’s theatre, film, workshops, musicals, amateur and community productions which appeal to a wide audience.
Edinburgh theatre listings
To find out what’s on across Edinburgh’s theatres - choose a theatre to see their calendar of performances.
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Edinburgh and the Lothians sits on the eastern side of Scotland's central belt, in the heart of the country.
