Seasonal explorations of the King’s Theatre’s rich heritage, drawn from the archive and brought to life through themes, stories, and voices.
This season’s themes:
Top of the Bill: Variety at the King’s
Take an in depth look at how variety theatre shows shaped Scottish theatre and became a primary source of entertainment for the people of Edinburgh during the summer season. Running from the late 1930s to the early 1960s, the King’s stage held pioneering variety performances and experimental works, developing a new way to bring theatrical entertainment to the masses.
Online now
The Early Era: 1906-1946 & King’s Profiles
Online now
Made at the King’s: Community Responses to the Archive
Online now
Also featured
- Autumn Oral History Highlights – more memories captured in interviews, sharing the lived experiences of people important to the King’s.
Top of the Bill: Variety Theatre at the King's
Previous themes include:
The Early Years: 1906-1946
This collection brings together a rich tapestry of archival treasures relating to the early years of the King’s Theatre. Explore our historic photo galleries, read genealogical features telling the stories of theatre staff, and discover how a hidden message in a bottle offered a rare glimpse into the team who first raised the curtain in 1906.
Gallery collection: Posters of the King’s, 1960-1964
This collection of over 70 posters covers a wide range of the shows on stage at the King’s between April 1960 and November 1964 at a pivotal moment, as variety theatre began to compete with at-home entertainment.
Future themes will include:
Shared Stage: Community Theatre at the King’s
Celebrating the enduring connection between the King’s and local theatre companies, such as Southern Light, the Bohemians, the Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and the Gang Show.
Magic & Mayhem: Pantomime at the King’s
Step into the sparkle of the King’s panto tradition with stories from the stars, costume sketches, and audience memories.
