Ruskin Lane Consulting Autumn 2013 | Page 24

FEATURES PROJECTS The King’s Theatre, Edinburgh In this article Rachel Simmonds reflects on the King’s Theatre refurbishment project. Rachel acted as a Consultant for Smith Scott Mullan Associates. She has an RIAS Accreditation in Conservation Architecture and also teaches at Edinburgh College of Art. 24 I THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND I AUTUMN 2013 n 1906 a fabulous new theatre opened on Leven Street, in the Tollcross area of Edinburgh. Part of the well known Howard and Wyndham chain, it was a variety theatre with 2,500 seats over four levels. It was designed by two architects, James Davidson, who was responsible for the red sandstone exterior, and J.D.Swanston, who designed the more elaborate interior. This was the only theatre they collaborated on, which gives it a uniqueness compared to the more prevalent Matcham theatres of this time. From its opening, the theatre has been in near constant use, hosting a variety of different performances. Many famous faces have graced its stage over the years, including Katherine Hepburn, Sir Harry Lauder, Sir Lawrence Olivier and Anna Pavlova. By the 1950s it was in need of upgrading, and in 1951 the first major programme of refurbishment works was undertaken. This included the replacement of the entrance canopy with the cantilevered one that we see today, and the I