Redgrave Theatre, Farnham

The Redgrave Theatre stood in Farnham, Surrey, from 1974 until its demolition in 1998. It replaced the Castle Theatre, which had operated since 1941. Designed by architect Frank Rutter, the building was attached to the Grade II listed Brightwell House, dating from the 1790s. The theatre had an orchestra pit for ten musicians and a revolving stage. Its plain concrete auditorium seated fans in a single slope. The foyer was extended in 1986 but remained modest.

The theatre bore the name of actor Sir Michael Redgrave, who laid the foundation stone in 1971. Princess Margaret attended the opening in 1974 and returned for the tenth anniversary in 1984. Notable actors who performed there included Judi Dench, Stephen Mangan, Prunella Scales, Sean Bean and Simon Callow. Cheek by Jowl premiered As You Like It at the Redgrave in 1991. A 1991 production of The Seven Descents of Myrtle won Stephen Hattersley a Best Actor award.

Today the site is being redeveloped as Brightwells Yard. Brightwell House once housed a restaurant and club room, with offices and dressing rooms above. The theatre company Farnham Repertory Company moved from the Castle Theatre to the new building in 1973. Financial difficulties led to the theatre’s closure in 1998. Campaigns to save it were unsuccessful, and demolition was completed to make way for new homes, a cinema and shops.