Edinburgh Playhouse Theater
Large historic theatre hosting shows and concerts
Edinburgh Playhouse on Greenside Place is one of Britain's largest theatres, hosting touring West End musicals, concerts and comedy; visitors come for big productions and its central spot near Princes Street.
Edinburgh Playhouse at a Glance#
Address: 18-22 Greenside Place, Edinburgh EH1 3AA, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.edinburghplayhouse.com
Admission: Ticket prices vary by performance (box office and online sales); concessions and premium seating available
About Edinburgh Playhouse#
The Edinburgh Playhouse is a large theatre in central Edinburgh that opened in 1929 as a super-cinema and now operates as a major live-performance venue. It is one of Scotland’s largest theatres by seating capacity and regularly hosts touring West End and international productions.
The auditorium features a single large stalls and circle layout designed to accommodate large-scale musical and theatrical productions; the venue is used for dramas, musicals, comedy, dance and concerts. Front-of-house facilities are arranged around the main auditorium and the theatre functions as a key stop on UK touring circuits.
Built and opened in 1929, the building was originally designed as a cinema before being converted and adapted for live theatre use in the mid-20th century; it has undergone refurbishments to support modern productions. Management and programming focus on commercial touring shows and large-scale performances.
The Playhouse sits on Greenside Place in central Edinburgh, within walking distance of the city’s main commercial and cultural areas.
- Capacity and programming: Seating capacity is among the largest in Scotland, making it a major receiving house for touring musicals, plays and concerts.
How to Get to Edinburgh Playhouse#
The Playhouse is in Edinburgh city centre, about a 10-15 minute walk north from Waverley Station. Local buses and taxis serve Greenside Place; ample walking routes link the theatre to the Royal Mile and key downtown hotels.
Tips for Visiting Edinburgh Playhouse#
- Buy tickets early for major West End transfers and touring shows; the Playhouse is often part of UK and international tours.
- The theater has limited on-site parking; use city transport and arrive early to collect tickets and find your seats.
Best Time to Visit Edinburgh Playhouse#
Best to book in advance for major shows; festival periods are busiest and most expensive.
Weather & Climate near Edinburgh Playhouse#
Edinburgh Playhouse's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 19°C. Moderate rainfall (648 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 7° | -1° | 61 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 43 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.4h |
| March | Acceptable | 2° - 9° | 2° | 52 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 40 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 10° | 48 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.6 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 16.0h |
| June | Good | 9° - 18° | 13° | 53 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.1h |
| July | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 56 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 16.6h |
| August | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 55 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 14.8h |
| September | Good | 9° - 16° | 12° | 60 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.9 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 12.6h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 13° | 7° | 66 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 3° | 56 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.1h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 58 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
