Buchanan was experienced in the industry as he already managed a large number of provincial variety theatres, however this was his most ambitious project yet.

[3] The foundation stone was laid on 18 August 1906 by Andrew Carnegie, with copies of the current newspaper and coins buried underneath.

The theatre began a successful career as a variety touring house with later visits from Carl Rosa Opera and Richard D'Oyly Carte's company.

Under Cruikshank the bill of fare was widened to include drama, musicals, large scale pantomime, revues and opera.

[4] In 1934 A. Stewart Cruikshank decided it would be worth experimenting with a summer season in Edinburgh along the lines of seaside entertainment.

The show, known as The Half Past Eight, had already been a great success at the theatre's Howard & Wyndham namesake in Glasgow, where comic Jack Edge performed to full houses for fourteen weeks.

The Half Past Eight show opened on 31 May 1937, and was billed as 'An after dinner light revue of song, dance and laughter – also starring Cliff Harley, Florence Hunter and the Charles Ross Girls'.

News of the show spread by word of mouth and by the end of the following week, the King's was packed nightly with standing room only.

There were big opening and finale numbers with the dancers in sequinned and feathered dresses, and Dave Willis was a hard working individual appearing throughout most of the show.

The show continues today with over 200 young people aged between 8 and 25 from Scouting and Girl Guiding in Edinburgh regularly taking part.

At this time the King's was the most prominent theatre in the city, with the larger Empire now used for bingo, and the huge Playhouse still being used as a super-cinema.

The woodwork, carpets, glass and marble were restored, and in the auditorium the aisles were widened, and new seats more akin to a multiplex cinema were installed, and the apron and orchestra pit were increased.

The building originally had a glass canopy spanning over the pavements, however this was replaced with a more modern design in the mid 20th century.

[5] As you enter the foyers, an arrangement of mahogany, heavily carved door frames, stained glass, pilasters with marble and parquet floors greets you.

In 2013 a mural was added in the central ceiling roundel, designed by John Byrne, to disguise cracked plasterwork.