Edinburgh Playhouse

The Edinburgh Playhouse opened its doors for the first time at 2pm on Monday 12 August 1929. Although originally designed as a variety theatre, by the time the building was completed it had been decided to open it as a cinema. The first film to be screened was ‘The Doctor’s Secret’ an adaptation of JM Barrie’s short play ‘Half an Hour’.

The building was owned and run by the Maguire family and was designed by Glasgow architect John Fairweather.... Read more >>

Edinburgh Playhouse

Edinburgh Playhouse Overview

The Edinburgh Playhouse opened its doors for the first time at 2pm on Monday 12 August 1929. Although originally designed as a variety theatre, by the time the building was completed it had been decided to open it as a cinema. The first film to be screened was ‘The Doctor’s Secret’ an adaptation of JM Barrie’s short play ‘Half an Hour’.

The building was owned and run by the Maguire family and was designed by Glasgow architect John Fairweather. On a fact finding trip to America he was impressed by the splendour of the Roxy Theatre in New York and some of its features were said to have inspired the final designs for the Playhouse.

It continued to operate as a successful cinema for over forty years, during which time a number of stars paid a visit, including Marlene Dietrich, Yul Brynner and Laurel and Hardy.

By 1973 the down turn in the cinema business made it impossible to make a profit from such a large single screen venue. Splitting it into a multi screen was considered too costly and so the building was put up for sale. The cinema closed down on the 24 November 1973, with ‘Live and Let Die’ being the last film to be screened.

It was sold to a property developer who applied for planning permission to build an office block and began to arrange for demolishing of the Playhouse. Planning permission was turned down, but the threat of demolition hung over the building for some time.

Soon after the cinema closed Gordon Lucas and Larry McGuire, former employees of the Playhouse, set up the Playhouse Preservation Action Group and began a campaign to save the Playhouse. 15,000 signatures were collected and eventually the Secretary of State placed a class B preservation order on the building.

In 1975 the Edinburgh Playhouse Society was formed. This organisation was particularly interested in seeing the Playhouse being reopened and used for Opera and Ballet. Another petition was started and a further 13,500 signatures were collected.

After more than four years of campaigning the Lothian Regional Council finally agreed to buy the Playhouse and turn it into a multipurpose venue. The cinema was refurbished and opened as a fully functional theatre on 1 June 1980 with a charity gala in aid of the Variety Club of Great Britain.

Since then the Playhouse has changed hands on a number of occasions. Initially into those of a local businessman and subsequently to Apollo Leisure, SFX, Clear Channel Entertainment, Livenation and, as of 2010, The Ambassador Theatre Group.

Over the years the theatre has played host to the world's biggest and most successful musicals, including Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Grease, Cats, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia, Starlight Express, Mary Poppins and We Will Rock You. Many legendary bands and artists have also graced our stage including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Waits, BB King, Runrig, The Who, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, U2 and Johnny Cash.

Like every theatre the Playhouse has its resident ghost. He first appeared in the 1950s when a security guard had called the police to investigate noises coming from level 6 in the north tower. The guard was shocked to hear that on investigation the policeman had found no evidence of a break in, but had met Albert the maintenance manager who had assured him that everything was fine. Albert was indeed the maintenance manager, but he had died many years earlier!

Edinburgh Playhouse

Edinburgh Playhouse Information

Edinburgh Playhouse

Edinburgh Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place
Edinburgh
EH1 3AA
View Map

Directions

The Edinburgh Playhouse is situated on Greenside Place, at the top of Leith Walk and close to the east end of Princes Street.


Contact Information

Book online: Use the links below

Telephone Booking: 0844 871 3014

Customer Service: 0844 871 7627

Groups Bookings: 0131 524 3301

Access Bookings: 0131 524 3301

Stage Door / Admin:* 0131 524 3324
*please note it is not possible to assist
with bookings on this number

Stage Experience

Stage Experience presents...

Footloose

Now in its seventh year, and following in the footsteps of critically acclaimed productions including Oliver!, High School Musical, Fame and last year’s phenomenon, The Glee Club Experience, the Edinburgh Playhouse Stage Experience is looking for 120 of the city’s most talented performers for its production of Footloose this Summer.

Open Auditions

Sunday 25 March 9.30am - 10-14 year olds

Thursday 29 March at 5pm - 15-21 year olds

at the Edinburgh Playhouse

Please arrive at the front doors of the Playhouse, wear comfortable clothes suitable for dancing and be prepared to stay all day or evening. Refreshments will not be provided. Audition pieces will be taught on the day; you do not need to prepare anything.

For more information and to download an audition form, please see the Creative Learning page.

Theatre Tours

Walk on our famous stage, visit the fly floor for a unique view and learn all about the history and working of our beautiful theatre. Saturdays and selected matinee days starting at 10.30am. Prices: £6.50 - £12.50. Advance booking essential.

The Executive Suite

Enjoy your evening at the theatre in style with your own private bar, drinks and canapés. Bespoke packages are available, completely suited to your requirements. For more information or to book call 0131 524 3321.

More Events & Info

Visit
Edinburgh Playhouse

Edinburgh Playhouse Access

Booking Information

  • Access Booking line: 0131 524 3301

Venue Access Information

  • We offer many facilities for people with disabilities and we will always endeavour to meet individual needs:

    Up to eight wheelchair spaces per performances. Call 0131 524 3301 for availability
    Wheelchair access & accessible toilet on circle level
    Registered disabled concessions available at many performances
    Sign interpreted & audio described performances for some shows

    If you would like an audio brochure contact 0131 524 3301.

  • A Sennheiser infrared system for the hearing impaired. To obtain a headset, contact a duty manager on arrival.
    Sign interpreted & audio described performances for some shows. For more information on how to book, call 0131 524 3301 (Mon – Fri/10am – 6pm).

  • Guide, hearing and other working dogs are welcome. Please tell the theatre when booking.

  • Wheelchair and accessible toilet on circle level.

Edinburgh Playhouse Seating Plan

Edinburgh Playhouse seating plan

Download a Detailed Seating Plan

Download a copy of the Edinburgh Playhouse Seating Plan free of charge. Click here »

Pick your own seats

To pick your own seats for Edinburgh Playhouse simply find the performances you'd like to see from the listings below and you'll be given the option.
Edinburgh Playhouse

Edinburgh Playhouse ATG Theatre Card

ATG Theatre Card member benefits for Edinburgh Playhouse are:
  • Selected Performances
    Ticket Discounts (see TC icon below)
  • Most Performances
    No booking fees
    No transaction charge
    Free Ticket Exchange

Booking Information

Select the performance you'd like to see from the list below.

Become an ATG Theatre Card Member today and enjoy...

  • Discounted theatre tickets
  • No booking fees
  • No transaction charge
  • Free Ticket Exchange
  • Discount at ATG theatre bars
  • Priority booking

All for only £30 a year.

Edinburgh Playhouse

Edinburgh Playhouse Group Bookings

Booking Information

  • Groups Booking line: 0131 524 3301

Groups 10+ Benefits

  • Reserve now, pay later
  • No booking fees on selected shows
  • Huge savings on the majority of shows
  • Easily amendable reservations
  • Reserve more than one show at once
  • No deposits required
  • Reservations are invoiced, and are easy for you to review and check before paying
  • Tickets posted free to your door
  • Pre-book hospitality packages

More Groups Events & Info

Visit www.atgtickets.com/groupbook/

Edinburgh Playhouse

Edinburgh Playhouse Restaurant

Pre-performance 3 course meal in the Playhouse Overtures suite - £19.50

The Edinburgh Playhouse has teamed up with one of Edinburgh’s most renowned Italian restaurants, Giuliano’s, to offer you a new theatrical dining experience. Enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by Giuliano’s, and served in the comfort of the theatre’s own Overtures suite followed by a performance. Giuliano’s at the Playhouse is currently available for selected performances of South Pacific and Oliver!

Tables to be taken between 5pm and 6.15pm for 7.30pm performances (between 12.30pm – 1.15pm for 3pm performances of Oliver!).

Places strictly limited, advance booking is essential.

Click here to book online.

To book over the phone, call 0844 847 3014 (transaction fee applies) or come into the venue Box Office.

Offer includes tea/coffee. Please purchase show tickets at time of meal voucher purchase, meal vouchers can be added to an existing booking. Meal voucher includes food, tea &  coffee only, other beverages are available to buy. Food voucher only valid at the theatre on the specified day.

Edinburgh Playhouse

Edinburgh Playhouse Creative Learning

Stage Experience presents...

Footloose

Now in its seventh year, and following in the footsteps of critically acclaimed productions including Oliver!, High School Musical, Fame and last year’s phenomenon, The Glee Club Experience, the Edinburgh Playhouse Stage Experience is looking for 120 of the city’s most talented performers for its production of Footloose this Summer.

Open Auditions

Sunday 25 March 9.30am - 10-14 year olds

Thursday 29 March at 5pm - 15-21 year olds

at the Edinburgh Playhouse

Please arrive at the front doors of the Playhouse, wear comfortable clothes suitable for dancing and be prepared to stay all day or evening. Refreshments will not be provided. Audition pieces will be taught on the day; you do not need to prepare anything.

Stage Experience will run from Saturday 14 – Saturday 28 July 2012

All successful applicants must be available on all of these days (exact timings TBC).

Stage Experience culminates in three performances upon the prestigious stage of the Edinburgh Playhouse and is a fantastic opportunity costing only £220.

Auditioning is free. Fee only payable following successful audition. Some assisted places will be available.

To pre-register and guarantee an audition, please download, complete and return an audition form, then turn up at the advertised date and time.

To download your audition form click here.

Alternatively, to receive an audition form by post please email your name and address to jobeale@theambassadors.com.

Or just turn up on the day.

For further information about auditions for Musicians and for Technical Stage Experience, please email jobeale@theambassadors.com. (Open to 16-21 year olds.)

Exclusive scholarships for Stage Experience participants

In collaboration with the MGA Academy of Performing Arts, we are delighted to be offering scholarships to two of this year’s Stage Experience participants. The scholarships will offer one place on the Academy’s full-time 3 year diploma, worth £5,250 per year, and one place at their part-time school worth £1,850 per year (maximum 5 years).

To be eligible to apply for the scholarships you need to successfully audition for this year’s Stage Experience show. For the full-time scholarship you must be at least 15 years old and ready to leave school in September 2012, and for the part-time scholarship you must be aged between 14 and 18 years old.

Thu 09 - Sat 11
Feb 2012   Feb 2012
Click for more details and to book Avenue Q tickets at Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh
Fri 10 - Sat 23
Feb 2012   Jun 2012
Click for more details and to book Theatre Tour tickets at Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh
Sat 18
Feb 2012
Click for more details and to book Back For Good tickets at Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh
Fri 24
Feb 2012
Click for more details and to book Madama Butterfly tickets at Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh
Show:
7.30
Thu 09
FEB 2012
Avenue Q tickets
Tickets £14.50 - £33.50
Theatre Card
General Tickets
Tickets £14.50 - £28.50 excluding fees
Premium Seats
Tickets £33.50 excluding fees
Theatre Card Members
£5 off selected seats
LOGIN
10.30
Fri 10
FEB 2012
Limited Availability
Theatre Tour tickets
Tickets £12.50   
Theatre Card
General Tickets
Tickets £12.50 excluding fees
Theatre Card Members
£9.50
LOGIN
5.30
Fri 10
FEB 2012
Avenue Q tickets
Tickets £12.50 - £27.50
Theatre Card
General Tickets
Tickets £12.50 - £22.50 excluding fees
Premium Seats
Tickets £27.50 excluding fees
Theatre Card Members
£5 off selected seats
LOGIN
8.30
Fri 10
FEB 2012
Avenue Q tickets
Tickets £17.50 - £35.50
Theatre Card
General Tickets
Tickets £17.50 - £30.50 excluding fees
Premium Seats
Tickets £35.50 excluding fees
Theatre Card Members
£5 off selected seats
LOGIN
10.30
Sat 11
FEB 2012
Theatre Tour tickets
Tickets £12.50   
Theatre Card
General Tickets
Tickets £12.50 excluding fees
Theatre Card Members
£9.50
LOGIN
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