Offering free online access to a wide selection of archival materials from the King’s Theatre spanning more than a century of history, The People’s Archive is now available on Capital Theatres’ website where users can immerse themselves in the history of the King’s Theatre through programmes, photo galleries, playbills, newspaper clippings and oral histories.
Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland, this ambitious heritage project was developed by Capital Theatres to run in conjunction with the major redevelopment of the King’s Theatre, which began in February 2023. Thanks to the dedication and commitment of 15 volunteers, school groups, youth organisations and members of the wider community, the archive has grown into a meaningful record of the people and stories that have helped shape the King’s Theatre. Many of the items have been generously donated by individuals who have performed, worked or simply enjoyed unforgettable productions on the King’s Theatre stage.
To help people explore the catalogue, The People’s Archive will regularly rotate articles, oral histories, object highlights and volunteer-led research. Early features include a spotlight on individuals involved in the early days of the King’s Theatre; the extraordinary career of Bethia Cassie, who began life as a cleaner and became a lighting technician in 1917; and a deep dive into the bold graphic style of the theatre’s 1960s poster collection.
The People’s Archive also brings to life discoveries made during the King’s redevelopment, such as a remarkable 119-year-old message in a bottle found in December 2024 that contained a list of contractor names and was dated October 1906, just two months before the King’s Theatre first opened its doors to the public.
Since Capital Theatres shared news of the find in February 2024, descendants of the architects, draftsmen and plasterers listed have come forward with their own connections and stories. Among them was Karen Dickey, the great–great-granddaughter of W. S. Cruikshank, the original building contractor. Her link to the past was uncovered through a chance conversation when her husband John, an Edinburgh taxi driver, dropped off a member of the current construction team at the theatre site.
To mark the launch of The People’s Archive, Karen and John were presented with a framed copy of the letter found in the bottle, a symbolic bridge between the past and the present
The People’s Archive, made possible by the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland, is part of Capital Theatres’ ongoing commitment to preserve and promote Edinburgh’s theatre heritage for future generations and celebrates the collective memory of a much-loved theatre, standing as a testament to the enduring connection between the King’s Theatre and its community.
The physical archive, which contains over 2,500 items is hosted at the Edinburgh City Archives.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 