ACTORS including Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, and Gabriel Byrne have backed a campaign to save the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh.
The theatre is closing for a £25 million redevelopment.
But the cost of the work has risen by 20-30% due to inflation and so Capital Theatres, which runs the site, is calling for increased funding, including from the UK Government.
Cox, who is honorary patron of the theatre, said: “We must save the King’s for future generations.
“It’s in August that we are reminded how vital the King’s Theatre is to the Edinburgh International Festival, which – over the years – has played host to Juliette Binoche, Fiona Shaw, and this year Alan Cumming and Gabriel Byrne.
“But, for the rest of the year, it’s 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.
“Without the planned transformational redevelopment improving access, preserving heritage and opening the building up to the community, the King’s will close its doors forever.
“After a hugely successful fundraising effort to reach the original budgeted cost of £25 million, we cannot let the rising costs due to inflation, trade agreements, and global conflict put the project in peril.”
Alan Cumming, who starred in Burn at the theatre as part of this month’s Edinburgh International Festival, added: “The King’s Theatre is integral to the cultural health and wellbeing of the people of Edinburgh, and indeed Scotland.
“It brings us together in the winter via the annual pantomime and it welcomes citizens of the world every August during the festival.
“This year, I was back at the King’s with Burn and it reminded me how much I love this old beauty.
“But, she could do with a facelift and a pretty thorough makeover.
“Please, urgent funding is needed to help preserve the magic of the King’s.”
Read more news and reviews on Scottish Field’s culture pages.
Plus, don’t miss columnist Alexander McCall Smith’s reflections on Swedish music in the September issue of Scottish Field magazine.
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