Annapolis Royal’s beloved King’s Theatre keeps community at centre stage
For more than 100 years, King’s Theatre has been the cultural heart of historic Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia — which proudly holds the title of Canada’s smallest and oldest town.
With its most recent transformation, the Registered Heritage Property is bringing a new sparkle to the downtown.
Janet Larkman, Executive Director of King’s Theatre, says the building, offering live theatre and music, national and international touring productions and more, has completed several upgrades in the last 10 years, with help from ACOA. “We could not have done these things without them.”
Early restorations prioritized functionality, while more recent upgrades have focused on enhancing the theatre’s look, feel, and visitor experience.
“From the outside, it didn’t really look like a theatre,” Larkman recalls. “Now, it has bright lights, a Broadway feel, and a marquee billboard where we can announce upcoming shows.”
She says people tell her all the time how proud they are of the theatre.
The transformation extends beyond aesthetics. The theatre is now fully accessible, with electronic doors and renovated all-gender washrooms designed for both inclusivity and efficiency. Outdated speakers were replaced with custom-made Meyer speakers, calibrated by one of Canada’s top audio engineers.
“Now, anywhere you sit, you’ll hear the same incredible clarity,” Larkman says. She notes that people who are hard of hearing are returning and sharing how they can finally enjoy movies and live shows again.
A Cultural and Economic Engine
With an average of four events per week, King’s Theatre doesn’t just entertain — it drives the local economy. Restaurants adjust their staffing based on the theatre’s schedule, visitors plan their trips around performances, and even real estate sales are influenced, Larkman says.
Beyond tourism, the theatre nurtures the next generation of artists. Through school partnerships, every child in the region experiences live theatre. “I recently asked a school group how many had been to King’s Theatre before, and every single hand went up. That’s when I knew — we’re doing something right,” she says proudly.
A Bright Future for King’s Theatre
These latest renovations, completed in May 2025, mark a new era for King’s Theatre, one where history meets modernization. Yet, at its core, the theatre remains what it has always been: a place where everyone in the community feels welcome.
“I’m so proud that King’s Theatre is a space for everyone,” says Larkman. “We listen to what people want, then we try to make it happen. Our motto is simple: something for everybody.”
With its marquee shining brightly and world-class technology in place, King’s Theatre is ready for the next century of storytelling, music, and magic.