Smith blasts 'demise' of the King's

ACTRESS Elaine C Smith has hit out at the lack of investment in the Capital's King's Theatre, after it emerged productions would be scaled back.

The theatre announced that instead of the usual 24 weeks of production, it would run its 2011-12 programme for just 15 weeks.

The announcement has raised concerns about the future of the historic venue, which has also started consultation about job losses.

The actress, who performed in Calendar Girls at the theatre last year, said: "I have been saddened at the demise of a wonderful theatre like the King's in Edinburgh.

"It seems like a theatre that hasn't been cared for by the city in a long time. The backstage areas and much of the front of house hasn't changed in a long time and, compared to theatres in the rest of the UK, it seems that the right level of investment and care haven't been put into what was always regarded as one of the crown jewels of the theatre world."

The Festival City Theatres Trust, which operates both the King's and the Festival Theatre, made the announcement yesterday and revealed it is lookingto slash its wage bill by 300,000. Its decision has come after it saw audience numbers fall by up to 15 per cent.