Other theatres removed from 2026 Theatres at Risk Register

There are four theatres that have been taken off the Theatres at Risk Register as changes to their circumstances mean they are unlikely to return to live performance use.

The Groundlings, Portsmouth

Although a significant historic building, The Groundlings in Portsea, Portsmouth was originally built as a school, which included a public hall for live entertainment. The organisation that was operating it as a theatre has relocated to another venue in the city. Therefore, Theatres Trust’s support will be focused on helping the operator in its new location and will pass on concerns about the future of The Groundlings building to other heritage organisations who are better placed to protect it.

King’s Theatre Kirkcaldy

The condition of the King’s Theatre in Kirkcaldy has deteriorated significantly with demolition being proposed by the council to make the site safe. There is no longer the same level of local support or demand for the King’s to be returned to theatre use as there was when it was first added to the Theatres at Risk Register, with local audiences much better catered for by the recently renovated Adam Smith Theatre and the smaller venue on the esplanade located behind and named after the Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy.

Blackpool Winter Gardens Pavilion

Although the building needs investment and repairs, Theatres Trust is confident that its owner Blackpool Council will not allow this historic building to deteriorate further. Blackpool is already well served by Blackpool Grand Theatre, the Opera House in the Winter Gardens and other live entertainment venues, and The Pavilion has also undergone some alteration including converting the stage area into a cafe, meaning that the Winter Gardens is unlikely to return to theatrical use. Theatres Trust is therefore removing it from the Theatres at Risk Register.

The Globe, Plymouth

Similarly to Blackpool Winter Gardens, The Globe’s owner, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has committed to carry out works that will protect the theatre building from immediate risk. However, as it is located on an MoD site, it is unlikely to return to use as a public performance space in the foreseeable future, and is therefore being removed from the Theatres at Risk Register.

Taking the pragmatic and timely decision to step away from these four buildings, allows us to ensure that Theatres Trust’s limited resources are focused on supporting communities that lack access to theatres and on those theatres with the strongest possibilities of viable futures.