Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP

The King’s Theatre has provided over 100 years of entertainment and is now under threat of closure.

The Theatre has been warned that vital safety work is required to the building within the next two years.  If that work is not carried out the Theatre Trust fears they will have to close the doors for good.

The Council have said they’ll look at the situation in 2010 -2011 although they provide no guarantees but that will be too late.  I see that Sarah Boyack MSP has laid down a motion in Parliament calling for the Council to reprioritise its funding.

Edinburgh is fortunate to have a rich offering of culture in the city which is recognised internationally and the King’s Theatre is part of this.   The King’s also has an important role at Christmas and New Year when it stages its traditional Christmas pantomime, the only theatre in Edinburgh to do so.

But if we want these things to continue we have to be prepared to support them and this also means investment at the time when it is needed.

Many people have expressed their concerns about the possible closure of the King’s and do not want to see it closed by the Council.

The King’s is part of Edinburgh’s culture and tradition.   I hope the Council will think again before it’s too late.  Over 20 years ago the then Council took what was a controversial step of rebuilding what is now the Festival Theatre.   It’s been a great success.   So it shows what can be done.