King's Theatre

Significance

The theatre has an impressive frontage and originally had lavish interiors, including spacious front-of-house areas lined in mahogany and teak, and a very opulent auditorium with decorative panels in the Edwardian manner. It features Baroque and Rococo style plasterwork, a fine saucer domed ceiling with frescoes, and a marble proscenium frame. Work to the theatre in 1955 sadly included the partial demolition of the balcony and the insertion of a false ceiling above the circle. After closing as a bingo hall, much archaeological investigation took place and it was established that enough of the original interior, including the ceiling, remains intact to enable the theatre to be restored.

Why is this theatre at risk?

Dundee King’s Theatre has been on the Theatres at Risk Register since 2016.

The King’s is also included on Historic Environment Scotland’s Heritage at Risk Register.

After the cinema closed in 1982, part of the building was run as a bingo hall and then as a themed bar / nightclub. The retail units on the ground floor are currently in use, but the nightclub that operated from the auditorium closed in May 2024. .

The condition of the building continues to be of concern. The roof that was previously leaking into the billiards room on the top floor has been repaired, however, the Cowgate elevation masonry is damp in sections. The south-west façade is showing extended foliage growth, which is a significant risk to both the building and the passing public. Additionally, two second-floor windows are beginning to move inwards.

Theatre potential

If restored, the handsome King’s Theatre could become a great asset to the city of Dundee, which is in need of a large proscenium touring house.

Community support for the return of the theatre has been evident over the years with various community groups campaigning to bring the King’s back into theatre use. These groups, including the King’s Theatre Trust, have previously undertaken work ranging from creating a business plan for the restoration of the theatre, community engagement work and plans to include the adjoining Continental Ballroom, which would provide cross-subsidising retail, bar and restaurant facilities. Theatres Trust has provided fundraising and capital project advice and supports the view that the building has the potential to be returned to performance use.  

Current situation

The building’s site is under various ownerships with the main body of the building being owned by Cowgate Estates Ltd. There are separate leases in place for the café within the foyer area and the former nightclub in the main auditorium.

The closure of the nightclub, run by The Small Town Club, raises uncertainty about the future use of the building. The Small Town Club had previously expressed aspirations to make the King’s a multi-purpose, multi-cultural performance space, revitalising the building and acting as a catalyst for regeneration of the area. Its departure from the building means that the majority of the theatre is now vacant which increases concern for its future.

The theatre is situated in the Eastern Quarter of the city which has been identified as a priority area within Dundee City Council’s City Centre Strategic Investment plan, a thirty-year masterplan to improve Dundee city centre. There are also other stakeholders with an interest in the rejuvenation of this part of the city, such as Dundee and Angus College who are exploring moving its Dundee campus to a new facility on the site of the city's Wellgate Shopping Centre. The focus on regenerating the area may create opportunities for the theatre building.

Theatres Trust will engage with the council and will be able to offer support and advice to the owners and any local community groups wishing to develop a proposal for the restoration of the theatre.

Images King's Theatre, Theatres Trust, 2013