In its edition of May 8, 1998, the Herald reported: “The Redgrave finally lost its long battle for survival on Wednesday after Farnham Productions Limited, the company which runs the theatre, decided to cut its losses.”

It continued: “After a Board meeting on Tuesday night, the company told Waverley Borough Council of its closure decision on Wednesday morning.”

Set in the beautiful gardens of Grade II-listed Brightwells House, the Redgrave was built in the 1970s for the Farnham Repertory Theatre Company when the Castle Theatre was vacated. 

Up until its crippling financial difficulties which forced it to close, the much-loved theatre had regular repertory seasons and it also staged a variety of plays and musical productions.

And 21 years after the theatre’s closure, on March 7, 2019, another sad Herald headline declared: “Final curtain falls on Redgrave Theatre.”

That edition continued: “Crest Nicholson has begun demolition works on Brightwells Yard – starting with the long-awaited demise of the former Redgrave Theatre.

“Fresh from its demolition of another Farnham relic, the Woolmead, contractors Wooldridge crossed East Street last week to begin works on the northern section of the Brightwells site.

“This included knocking down the western wing of the Redgrave which was housed the theatre’s workshop and dressing rooms.”

Works to convert Brightwell House into a Coppa Club restaurant at the heart of the Brightwells Yard development are nearing completion.

Sadly, Farnham’s theatre has gone but, at the same time, the Farnham Maltings has become a popular arts and cultural destination with a varied performance and events programme, one that has developed a strong sense of community within the local area.

The above is part of a series of articles delving into the Herald archive to mark the 50th anniversary of the dissolution of the Farnham Urban District Council in March 1974.