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King’s Theatre, Glasgow

King’s Theatre, Glasgow

Architect: Frank Matcham

First Opened: 12th September 1904 (120 years ago)

Website: kingstheatreglasgow.co.uk Open website in new window

Telephone: 0844 871 7627 Call 0844 871 7627

Address: 297 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4JN Show address in Google Maps (new window)


The King’s Theatre was built for Howard & Wyndham Ltd as a sister theatre to the Theatre Royal in Glasgow, and was designed by renowned UK theatre architect Frank Matcham. The theatre opened in 1904 and since then has been Glasgow’s home of legitimate theatre and popular pantomime.

Featured Photos

Detailed Information

In early 1904 the prolific theatre-owning and producing company Howard & Wyndham Ltd commissioned UK theatre architect Frank Matcham to design a £50,000 theatre in the centre of Glasgow.

The King’s Theatre subsequently opened on 12th September 1904. It is an important example of an Edwardian theatre by the now-renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham.

As of the present day the theatre remains largely true to Matcham’s design. Alongside His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen it is one of the finest examples of a Matcham theatre in Scotland.

The imposing Bath Street elevation was designed to attract an audience and was built in high quality materials. Comfort for the audience was a priority as was maximising audience numbers. The theatre featured a lavish marble-lined entrance foyer – with a barrel-vaulted coffered ceiling – which led into the elaborately decorated auditorium.

In the auditorium, the three tiers of horseshoe-shaped balconies were cutting edge at the time for their cantilevered construction method, as it allowed for an unobstructed view of the stage and also created more space for paying customers. When built, the King’s had seating capacity for 1,841.

The Adam-style ceilings on the Grand Circle staircase and in its crush bar date from 1914, and are by William Beattie Brown, Howard & Wyndham’s architect.

The King’s Theatre was sold by Howard & Wyndham in 1967 to the City of Glasgow. It is currently managed by the Ambassador Theatre Group Link opens in new window but remains in the ownership of Glasgow City Council.

In September 2023 it was announced Link opens in new window that the theatre’s owner (Glasgow City Council) and operator (Ambassador Theatre Group) would work together on a project to upgrade the theatre so it could attract big shows which currently struggle to fit into the theatre. The project was said to be a very ambitious multi-million pound plan.

Movie, TV & Music Video Appearances

Television

Listed/Landmark Building Status

How do I visit the King’s Theatre?

Like most Ambassador Theatre Group Link opens in new window theatres, the King’s runs tours as production schedules allow. Check out the theatre’s Backstage Tour Link opens in new window page for the current schedule. Tickets are generally £10 and tours last about one hour.

Further Reading

Online

Historic Photos & Documents
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Photos of the King’s Theatre

Jump to Photo Section:

  1. Auditorium (Stalls)
  2. Auditorium (Grand Circle)
  3. Auditorium Closeups
  4. Public Areas
  5. Exterior
  6. Stage
  7. Fly Floor & Paint Frame
Auditorium (Stalls)
Auditorium (Grand Circle)
Auditorium Closeups
Public Areas
Exterior
Stage
Fly Floor & Paint Frame


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