Yvonne Arnaud

• Theatre ID
  775
• Built / Converted
  1965
• Dates of use
  • 1965: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Millbrook, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3UX, England
• Website
  • http://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Details

The Theatre is on the River Wey, and is surrounded on three sides by water. It enjoys a delightful setting but this, in itself, precludes any expansion and may present risk of flooding. The curved walls are built of panelled glass with brise soleil to maximise enjoyment of the setting. It presents a fairly austere appearance, but softened by trees. The land was donated by the Borough of Guildford, who contributed £20,000 towards the cost, the rest being raised by the Yvonne Arnaud Trust. The theatre was opened on 2 June 1965. The auditorium is horseshoe shaped and the side walls continue to the stage which can be extended to form an apron or, by moving the seating, in-the-round. The seating is well raked in both stalls and circle, and accommodates 567 with wheelchair spaces. The domed roof of the auditorium is constructed from steel and timber, and sheathed with copper. To the side of the theatre is the old town mill, complete with millpond and swans, it was used as scenery workshops etc from 1966 but was converted to the Mill Studio in 1993. Grade II listed, it seats 80. Auditorium acoustics are good and the whole design was considered to be advanced in the 1960s, but forty years of active use has pointed the need for extensive improvements to meet modern ambitions. A review undertaken in 2004/5 suggests that a major fundraising effort will be called for.

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• Events
  • 1965 Use: continuing
  • 1965 Design/Construction: Brownrigg & Turner (John Brownrigg)
    • Scott - Architect
  • 1993 Alteration: scenery workshop converted to Mill Studio
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1965 Design/Construction:
    • Marshall-Andrew & Co - Consultant: Theatre
    • Alex Porter - Consultant: Portrait Of Yvonne Arnaud In Foyer
    • Stefan Knapp - Consultant: Enamelled Screen
    • Lorna McKean - Consultant: Bust Of Sir Michael Redgrave
    • Ida & Francis Foher - Consultant: Decorative Glass
  • Owner/Management: Yvonne Arnaud Trust, owners
• Capacities
  • Original: 587
  • Later: 574
  • Current: 590; MS 80
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Flat; revolving stage 7.62m diameter
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: w SL: 7.92m SR: 7.92m
  • Proscenium width: 10.06m x 4.57-5.49m high, variable
  • Height to grid: 11.78m; 31 counterweight lines; flying height
  • Orchestra pit: Original 18; 8 dressing rooms accommodating 48