Edinburgh Playhouse facts for kids
Edinburgh Playhouse in 2009
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| Address | 18–22 Greenside Place |
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| Location | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Owner | Ambassador Theatre Group |
| Designation | Listed Building Category A |
| Capacity | 3,059 |
| Current use | Theatre |
| Production | Touring Productions |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1929 |
| Reopened | 1980 |
| Architect | John Fairweather |
The Edinburgh Playhouse is a very big theatre in Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh. It has 3,059 seats, making it the largest theatre in Scotland! It is also the second biggest in the whole United Kingdom, after the Hammersmith Apollo. A company called Ambassador Theatre Group owns this famous theatre.
Contents
The Playhouse's History: From Cinema to Theatre
How the Building Started
The Edinburgh Playhouse first opened its doors on August 12, 1929. Back then, it was not a theatre but a huge cinema, known as a "super-cinema." Its design was inspired by the famous Roxy Cinema in New York.
The building was designed by John Fairweather, a special architect who created many cinemas. He was also known for designing the Green's Playhouse cinema in Glasgow. When it first opened, the inside of the cinema was decorated with beautiful colours. The walls were mostly ivory and stone, and the roof had patterns of pale green leaves and gold.
Saving the Building
In the early 1970s, the cinema closed down. There was a plan to knock the building down, but people in Edinburgh loved it. They started a public campaign and collected 15,000 signatures on a petition to save it. Because of this, the building was officially protected as a Category B listed building in 1974.
Between 1978 and 1980, the old cinema was changed into the theatre we know today. This work was done by the Lothian Region Architects Department. In 1983, the theatre was sold to private owners. Over the years, it had a few different owners before Ambassador Theatre Group bought it in 2009. In 2008, the building's protection was upgraded to Category A, which means it is a very important historic building.
What Happens at the Playhouse Today?
Amazing Shows and Artists
The Playhouse is a busy place! Many different artists and shows perform there. You can see big musicals, concerts, comedy acts, and more. It is a popular stop for touring productions that travel around the country.
Supporting Young Performers
The theatre also helps young people in the area who love to perform. They can join stage experience projects and youth musical projects. Children as young as 10 and young adults up to 21 can take part in shows right on the Playhouse stage!
Festival Fun and Sporting Events
Every August, the Playhouse becomes a key venue for two huge events: the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. These festivals bring performers and audiences from all over the world to Edinburgh. The theatre was even used for wrestling and weightlifting events during the 1986 Commonwealth Games.
Meet Albert, the Playhouse Ghost
The Edinburgh Playhouse is said to have its own friendly ghost! His name is Albert, and he is described as a man in a grey coat. People say he appears on level six, and when he is around, the air feels cold.
Albert is also said to haunt "Albert's Bar" on the circle level. Staff members have reported seeing him many times as a grey outline or a shadow. Some stories say he was a stagehand who died in an accident, while others believe he was a night-watchman who took his own life.
See also
- List of Category A listed buildings in Edinburgh
- List of Edinburgh music venues
- List of theatres in Scotland
