AUDIENCES are to be warned about ventilation problems at Edinburgh's historic King's Theatre after the lack of air caused people to faint.

A report obtained by the Evening News reveals the "almost complete lack of ventilation" at the 102-year-old venue has become a recurring problem for audiences, artists and staff.

The ageing theatre suffers from low temperatures on stage, high temperatures in the upper circle, and lacks air movement throughout the auditorium. This causes discomfort for the public, particularly during the busy festival and pantomime seasons.

A private meeting was held late last year between the Festival City Theatres Trust, the city council and consultants. The minutes, released to the News through freedom of information laws, detail plans to give audiences "advance notification" of the ventilation problems, both through booking systems and signs in the building. Warnings are likely to be necessary when the audience is at full capacity or on hot days.

The news comes as city leader Jenny Dawe today admitted the council would "consider" any private bids to buy the theatre, which is in need of a major revamp.

A city council spokesman said: "As is the case with most venues, on warmer days parts of the theatre naturally heat up – usually the seats in the upper reaches. This should not cause a problem if managed effectively.

"We have budgeted for a £6 million investment in the King's, which will improve air circulation amongst other things, but in the meantime we are confident that the situation is being managed very well by the theatre."

The minutes of the meeting said the King's poor ventilation "presented on-going operational problems, sometimes giving rise to accidents on the part of members of staff and/or fainting on the part of members of the public".

Evidence of dry and damp rot was also identified, and there is a "significant" presence of asbestos, which has been safely enclosed.

The future of the King's Theatre was called into question last year amid fears it would fail to comply with health and safety regulations within two years, unless upgrading work was carried out.

However, this study, and a separate analysis, concluded there was "nothing deemed likely to cause closure of the theatre".

A spokeswoman for the theatre trust said: "Any immediate recommendations made in (the health and safety] report have been dealt with and, as previously stated, there are no health and safety issues affecting the welfare of audience members or staff."

Council officials are currently awaiting a report on the cultural needs of the Capital, which will help shape the long-term future of the King's and other venues.

Although the council has not been approached, city leader Jenny Dawe today said: "If approached by anyone regarding the King's we would consider it alongside other options."

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