Echoes of laughter and applause still resonate within these walls. The Edinburgh Playhouse stands before you a grand dame of entertainment. Opened in 1929 it was originally a super-cinema modelled after New York’s Roxy Cinema. Designed by John Fairweather a renowned cinema architect the Playhouse boasted 3040 seats. Its ivory and stone walls were adorned with pale green leaves and gold. The seats were upholstered to match the elegant scheme.
The Playhouse was more than just a cinema. It was a social hub. Tea rooms occupied two floors a soda fountain lounge offered refreshments. Intricate bronze lamps adorned the vestibule. Fish with open mouths supported figures holding lamps. Deco-style ceiling lights illuminated the space. The auditorium itself was a spectacle. It was 100 feet wide and 114 feet deep. The soaring ceiling reached 66 feet high. A three-manual 86-stop Hilsden organ once filled the space with music. It disappeared quietly via an electric lift when not needed. This was a marvel of engineering.
A Brenograph projected clouds and stars onto the stage curtains. This created an atmospheric illusion. The projection booth sat between the circle and balcony. Four Simplex projectors were installed two equipped for sound. The building’s ingenious design incorporated windows at balcony level. These allowed natural light to flush the auditorium. Clever planning maximised the auditorium’s use. The sloping site presented challenges. The auditorium’s design cleverly accommodated the uneven ground. The Playhouse’s history is rich with stories. It hosted wrestling and weightlifting events during the 1986 Commonwealth Games.
The Playhouse has seen its share of transformations. In the early 1970s it closed as a cinema. Facing demolition a public campaign saved it. The building received a Category B listing in 1974. Later it was upgraded to Category A in 2008. After its conversion into a theatre in 1980 the Playhouse began a new chapter. It hosted countless performances. Many major artists performed on its stage. Bruce Springsteen Elton John AC/DC and Queen are just a few. The Playhouse has hosted the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Even today some say the Playhouse is haunted by Albert. A man in a grey coat appears on the sixth level accompanied by a chill. He is also seen in Albert’s Bar. Some say he was a stagehand killed in an accident or a night watchman who took his own life.
Step inside the Edinburgh Playhouse. Feel the history beneath your feet. Listen to the whispers of countless performances. The echoes of past glories linger here a testament to the Playhouse’s enduring legacy.