After the theatre was saved from closure, the Edinburgh Playhouse Society was formed in 1975. This board ensured that the Playhouse remained open and was used for a mix of performances, specifically Opera and Ballet. They began to campaign and it was finally purchased by the Lothian Regional Council who agreed to turn it into a multi-purpose performance venue. The building underwent a refurbishment and opened on 1 June 1980 with a charity gala. The Theatre has since been owned by Apollo Leisure, SFX, Clear Channel Entertainment, Live Nation and currently the ATG group.

Prolific productions include:

2022 was a big year, with many West End transfers, major touring musicals and unmissable concerts. Highlights so far have included Bat Out of Hell, Dreamgirls and perennial favourite The Lion King.

2020 and 2021 were challenging years for the Playhouse due to the Covid pandemic, but some major productions did play during those years, including Chicago and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

2019 productions included the UK tour of Matilda the Musical, as well as various jukebox musicals such as Club Tropicana, Thriller, and The Bodyguard. The 50th anniversary tour of Hair also came to the Playhouse.

2018 began with productions from The Sound of Music and The Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas, followed by the ever-popular UK tour of Blood Brothers. Further productions have included Hairspray, Crazy For You and Fat Friends the Musical, followed by a month-long Wicked residency. Further shows throughout the year included Titanic the Musical, Summer Holiday and An Officer and a Gentleman, followed by the highly-anticipated UK tour of Take That musical The Band. The year continued with Frankie Boyle’s latest stand-up show, followed by the hilarious Benidorm the Musical and stand-up from Kevin Bridges. 2018 ended with the first UK tour of Kinky Boots, which recently closed in London’s West End.

2017 opened with a production of Mamma Mia! which closed January 7th. Following this, Wonderland the musical played a limited engagement, starring Kerry Ellis. Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton follows in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Further 2017 productions have included the UK tours of The Commitments, La Cage Aux Folles, starring John Partridge, and Joe McElderry in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, as well as Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games. Craig Revel Horwood’s production of Sister Act was next, starring Alexandra Burke, followed by Sheridan Smith in Funny Girl and West End sensation Dreamboats and Petticoats. The sensational Dirty Dancing then tangoed its way into the venue, followed by UK tours of Cilla the Musical and Sunset Boulevard. Martin Kemp then starred in Million Dollar Quartet, followed by Will Young and Louise Redknapp in Cabaret and the sizzling Tango Moderno. This was followed by the West End tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

2016 has enjoyed a range of West End favourites, including Hairspray, as well as Guys and Dolls, starring Richard Fleeshman. Beatles’ tribute Let It Be entertained audiences through April! Further productions have included Craig Revel Horwood’s Annie, as well as Chicago starring John Partridge. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most popular musical Cats prowled into the Edinburgh Playhouse to kick off the summer season! Bill Kenwright’s new touring version of Ghost the Musical spent a winter season at the theatre, starring Sarah Harding and Andy Moss.

So far, 2016 has seen Mack and Mabel, starring Michael Ball, come to the Edinburgh Playhouse, as well as Priscilla Queen of the Desert. The Sound of Music followed, starring BBC The Voice’s Lucy O’Byrne. The UK Hairspray tour arrived at the theatre in February. Further productions have included family favourite Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain, whilst cult classic The Rocky Horror Show followed. April saw Strictly Come Dancing’s duo dance into the Playhouse Theatre in The Last Tango. In October 2016, hit West End show Billy Elliot danced into the Playhouse Theatre Edinburgh, featuring an all-new touring cast.

2015 saw performances of Dirty Dancing, Joseph and his Technicoloured Dream Coat and Spamalot, Jesus Christ Superstar, Alan Car: Chatty Man, Love Me Tender, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Bodyguard and Shrek The Musical.

2014 saw Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Fame the Musical, Rock of Ages, Let It Be and Jersey Boys. Wicked also famously took up residency at the theatre for a whopping 2 months. The Edinburgh Playhouse gave Wicked it’s largest ever UK audience!

The Lion King: The West End and Disney Legend that is The Lion King turned the Edinburgh Playhouse into the African Savanna! Simba and his pals performed at the venue Mid October 2013

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers: This production ran at the theatre in early October 2013

Hairspray : The rip-roaring Hairspray the musical burst onto the Playhouse stage in September 2013

Dreamboats and Petticoats: The Bill Kenwright tour swung into the Playhouse in July 2013

Cats: The new UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long running musical opened at the venue in February 2013, playing for just under a month.

The Phantom of the Opera: The brand new UK tour played at the venue from 19th September – 20th October 2012.

Les Miserables: The UK tour made a welcome visit to the venue in April 2010.

Miss Saigon: The Playhouse became the second UK venue outside of London to feature Cameron Mackintosh’s epic musical from October 2002 to January 2003

Starlight Express: The Bill Kenwright tour played from 3-14th July 2012.

Mary Poppins: Cameron Mackintosh and Walt Disney Theatricals brought there larger than life production to the theatre in October 2008.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: This phantasmagorical musical flew into the Playhouse in January 2006.