{"id":1096460,"date":"2026-07-18T07:45:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T07:45:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1096460\/"},"modified":"2026-07-18T07:45:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T07:45:21","slug":"edinburgh-open-air-theatre-to-host-first-concert-for-around-80-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1096460\/","title":{"rendered":"Edinburgh open air theatre to host first concert for around 80 years"},"content":{"rendered":"

An open air terraced amphitheatre<\/a> will stage its first concert<\/a> in around 80 years for a free show by the Edinburgh Brass Band.<\/p>\n

Taking up the mantle at the Braidburn Valley Park \u2013 south of Morningside \u2013 which has welcomed a kaleidoscope of different performers over its history, is the Edinburgh Brass Band,<\/a> who will gather there at 1pm on Saturday 1 August.<\/p>\n

The last advertised use of the open air theatre was for a touring programme of children\u2019s puppet shows in 1988, while it is thought to have been last used for a concert 80 years ago.<\/p>\n

This provides locals with an opportunity to view a piece of Edinburgh history as well as enjoy the soothing tones of the city\u2019s community brass band with a picnic.<\/p>\n

\"NewsprintNewsprint photo from The Edinburgh Evening News howing the opening concert of the Braidburn Valley Theatre on 28th June 1937<\/p>\n

Throughout its near-90-year history, the theatre has undergone periods of disuse, but this stretch, following the 1980s, is by far the longest.<\/p>\n

This is despite the theatre, in the shadow of the pastoral Blackford Hill, being described as \u201cidyllic\u201d and uniquely suited to hosting such productions by observers.<\/p>\n

The park\u2019s design was inspired by a similar valley park in Scarborough. The city acquired the around 27 acres of ground from the Mortonhall Estate in 1933, on condition that it be kept as an open park; the open-air theatre itself was inaugurated four years later, in 1937.<\/p>\n

The valley was deemed unsuitable for development because of its steep sides and key water pipes running underneath it.<\/p>\n

The theatre opened to a \u201cmass display of dancing\u201d in June 1937 as part of celebrations for King George VI\u2019s coronation, and has hosted a colourful variety of attractions, from sheepdog trials to Shakespearean and Ancient Greek tragedies.<\/p>\n

Despite its disuse, the theatre\u2019s terracing, as well as the flat performance area ringed by hornbeam trees, can still clearly be seen.<\/p>\n

Organisers will hope that the brass band performance can remind locals of the theatre\u2019s charm and breathe new life into the park.<\/p>\n