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Church Hill Theatre gives Edinburgh’s next generation of performers a place to shine. Set in a beautifully converted Victorian church in Morningside, this 353-seat venue is now one of Scotland’s top spots for amateur drama, dance, and music. Every summer, it also hosts shows during the Edinburgh Festival.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture Edinburgh team owns and manages the theatre. It offers a professional stage for new performers, students, and amateur groups. The space is also used for conferences, concerts, dance shows, and community events.

From Victorian Church to Thriving Theatre

The building was first known as Morningside High Church, finished in 1892 and designed by the well-known Scottish architect Hippolyte Blanc. Made from rosy sandstone, it served its congregation for nearly 70 years until church unions made it mostly unused.

When the Little Theatre in the Pleasance closed, it opened the door for a new performance space. In 1963, Edinburgh Corporation bought the old church to encourage young people to get involved in ballet, drama, music, and opera.

After major renovations, Church Hill Theatre officially opened on 25 September 1965 with a performance of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest.

A Home for Local and International Talent

Over the years, Church Hill Theatre has become a key part of Edinburgh’s amateur arts scene and has also hosted well-known national and international groups.

Groups and performers who have appeared here include the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, 7:84, June Geissler School of Ballet, the Wooster Group and TAG Theatre Company.

The theatre has also had a long partnership with the American High School Theatre Festival, which started in 1995.

In 1996, artist Kenny Munro teamed up with local schoolchildren to create The Milestones, two sculpted pillars at the theatre entrance that celebrate the history and identity of Morningside and nearby areas through carved symbols and designs.

By the early 2000s, the building needed a big update. An 18-month renovation, completed in 2005, improved public spaces, added a lift to the auditorium, and expanded the café bar, all while preserving the theatre’s historic feel.

Ten years later, when Church Hill Theatre marked its Golden Jubilee, more investment restored the outside stonework and improved backstage areas. These updates help make sure the venue is ready for future performers and audiences.

Today, Church Hill Theatre blends its Victorian architecture with a lively schedule of drama, dance, music, and community events.

It remains one of Edinburgh’s top cultural venues.

The Vision of Hippolyte Blanc

Hippolyte Blanc was a prominent Gothic Revival architect in Scotland and a talented architectural historian. He worked on restoring the Argyle Tower and the Portcullis Gate at Edinburgh Castle, and also restored John Knox House on the Royal Mile.

Morningside features several buildings designed by Blanc, including Christ Church, Chalmers Free Church, and Morningside Parish Church. The old Morningside High Church is also an important part of his legacy in Edinburgh.

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