Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre

{{Short description|Lecture theatre and events venue in Edinburgh, Scotland}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox venue

| name = Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre

| fullname = Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre

| former names = George Square Theatre

| image = Edinburgh University George Square Theatre (geograph 5283475).jpg

| address = 32 George Square

| location = Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

| coordinates = {{coord|55.9429|-3.1882|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}

| type = Theatre

| opened = 1970

| owner = University of Edinburgh

| architect = Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall and Partners

| structural engineer = Blyth & Blyth

| capacity = 481{{cite web|title=George Square Lecture Theatre|url=http://www.edinburghfirst.co.uk/venues/george-square-lecture-theatre/|website=www.edinburghfirst.co.uk|publisher=University of Edinburgh|access-date=1 July 2017}}

| website =

}}

The Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre is a category B listed performing arts and lecture theatre located in the historic George Square in Edinburgh. Primarily operated as a lecture theatre for the University of Edinburgh, it is also used for general theatre performances, as well as being a designated Edinburgh Fringe Festival venue.

In 2018 the University changed the name of the theatre - previously known as George Square Theatre - in memory of Gordon Aikman, a graduate of the University's Business School who raised more than £500,000 for research funding into motor neurone disease.{{cite web|title=Lecture theatre renamed in honour of campaigner|url=https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/2018/lecture-theatre-renamed-in-honour-of-campaigner|website=www.ed.ac.uk|publisher=University of Edinburgh|access-date=2 February 2018}}{{cite web|title=George Square Lecture Theatre to be renamed|url=https://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/news/article/EUSA/George-Square-Lecture-Theatre-to-be-renamed/|website=www.eusa.ed.ac.uk|publisher=Edinburgh University Students Association|access-date=29 January 2018}}

Construction of the Modernist style theatre was completed in 1970, and opened to the general public the same year. Its seating capacity of 481 makes it the University's largest lecture facility, and an asset to the busy Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Since 2011, and while a venue for the Fringe, the theatre was under the branding of Assembly Group, an events promotion company responsible for the operation of Edinburgh's main Fringe venues, which had moved from their original base at George Street in the city. Subsequently, during the Festival the theatre was branded Assembly George Square Theatre.{{cite web|title=The Assembly Theatre Fringe venue to leave 30-year home|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-12240384|website=www.bbc.co.uk|publisher=BBC|access-date=1 July 2017}}

The theatre's location has allowed its use and popularity to increase, being situated near the Quartermile district development in the grounds of the old Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, along with the building and development of new University of Edinburgh facilities. The theatre can also be seen and accessed from The Meadows, a large park popular with tourists and students.

Due to the building's striking stand-alone appearance, it has been a popular location for filming and productions, with the facade often changed to suit different purposes.{{cite web|last1=Ennals|first1=Ethan|title=BBC shut down campus to film new police drama|url=https://thetab.com/uk/edinburgh/2015/10/09/bbc-shut-down-campus-to-film-new-police-drama-17067|website=www.thetab.com|publisher=The Tab|access-date=1 July 2017}}