Why was a theatre named after Yvonne Arnaud?

Many people will be familiar with Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, but who was she – and why was the theatre named after her?

Arnaud was born in 1890 in Bordeaux, France, and displayed musical talent from an early age, training at the Paris Conservatoire and becoming a celebrated concert pianist while still a teenager, performing with major orchestras across Europe and the United States.

She formed a connection with Surrey, living in Effingham Common and Guildford before her death in 1958. The theatre bearing her name opened in 1965 as a memorial to her life and work.

Sally Anne Lowe, from the theatre, said Arnaud was a "fascinating character".

Arnaud performed on Broadway twice, as well as on stage in London's West End.

The last film she appeared in, Mon Oncle, won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

The theatre praises the "much-loved French actress" on its website, whose "warmth, humour and talent gave her an unrivalled position on the English stage for nearly fifty years".

Lowe said in addition to Arnaud's passion for performing, she started a pig farm when she moved to Effingham.

Lowe added that the theatre was "very well-known in the industry".

"There is no other Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, some have similar names but not the same," she said.

"People don't know how to pronounce it but it is something that is different and remarked it on.

"Guildford did have a theatre in the 1950s and 60s in North Street, but it burned down.

"Yvonne had died but had been a well-known local character, so they decided to name the new one after her, in memory of her and her great work."

Since its opening, the theatre has become a major cultural landmark in Surrey, hosting national touring productions, classical drama, new writing and community programmes.

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