Step across this threshold, and you’ll journey back in time, not to a bygone era, but to a reimagined space, Symposium Hall. This grand building, tucked away on Hill Square, wasn’t always a hub for the vibrant Edinburgh Fringe. Originally, it was the Roxburgh Free Church, built in 1847. The church underwent a transformation four decades later when architect John Kinross converted it into St Michael’s Episcopal Church. In 1982, the Saudi Royal Family donated funds, and the building came under the care of The Royal College of Surgeons, becoming the King Khalid bin Abdul Aziz Symposium Hall.
The building still retains much of its original splendour. Imagine the echoes of sermons and hymns now replaced with laughter, applause, and the thrill of theatrical performances. You might even spot some of the original church features tucked away among the Italian leather seats and modern AV equipment. The hall was refurbished in 2005, boasting seating for up to 158.
Today, it’s the perfect venue for a variety of events. During the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, it hosts an array of shows, from cabaret and sketch comedy to music and stand-up.