Royal Lyceum Theatre

The Royal Lyceum Theatre is a Victorian-era theatre building in central Edinburgh featuring richly decorated Italian Renaissance architectural details. Inside, three horseshoe-shaped balconies are supported by cast iron columns while Apollo paintings adorn the tympana above the stage.

Architect Charles J. Phipps designed this theatre, which opened in 1883 with a performance of Much Ado About Nothing. The building represented a milestone in Edinburgh's theatrical history through its forward-thinking design approach.

This theatre serves as a gathering place where Edinburgh's theatre community experiences both contemporary and classic performances that reflect local and international perspectives. The resident company has built a reputation for supporting emerging talents while maintaining strong connections to the city's cultural life.

The theatre is accessible through several entrances and offers comfortable viewing with good sightlines from most seating areas. Visitors can check what performances are currently scheduled and plan their visit according to their interests.

As one of Britain's earliest theatres to feature an iron safety curtain, this building represented an important fire protection measure of its time. Meanwhile, it also introduced electrical house lighting to a Scottish building for the first time, setting a new standard.

Location: City of Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Inception: September 10, 1883

Architects: Charles J. Phipps

Official opening: September 10, 1883

Capacity: 658

Address: Grindley Street, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH3 9AX, Scotland

Website: http://lyceum.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 55.94700,-3.20427

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:53