Rose Theatre

The Rose Theatre stands on Rose Street in Edinburgh’s New Town. It is a former Baptist chapel designed by architects J A Arnott and J Inch Morrison, built in 1912 on the site of an 18th-century chapel. The building was once home to a congregation founded in 1808 by theologian Christopher Anderson. After serving as a chapel for over a century, it was deconsecrated and converted into an arts venue. In 2017 it reopened as a performing arts centre, hosting events during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The theatre is worth visiting for its distinctive architecture and adaptable spaces. Its stripped Wrenaissance style features polished sandstone ashlar and harled elevations. Inside, four performance areas accommodate audiences from 50 to 300 people. The main hall is a triple-height amphitheatre with standing room, while the ground floor includes a cabaret bar and café. The basement and attic provide smaller studios for niche performances. Visitors find a lively cultural hub with varied programming. The main hall hosts large-scale shows, the café and bar offer refreshments, and the basement and attic host experimental performances. The building’s conversion preserves its historic character while creating a flexible arts space. Refurbishment under new ownership promises further improvements to the venue.