Joanne Read commences her role as Chief Executive and Theatre Director of Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on Monday 7 January, after having played a similar role at Salisbury Playhouse followed by a tenure as Principal of the London Academy of Dramatic Arts (LAMDA).
Read said, "I'm a theatre director by profession. I had the most fantastic time running Salisbury Playhourse and I believe very strongly in regional theatre. I feel Guildford deserves a brilliant theatre and one of the the real attractions about coming here is knowing there is an appetite for theatre in this town and in the county.
"The Yvonne Arnaud is held in very high esteem in the profession and there is a fantastic opportunity here to work as a team to bring a little bit of fresh life to the place. I'm chomping at the bit to get going, I really am."
Read is familiar with the venue both on a personal level as a Surrey resident and professionally, having worked closely with the theatre during her years running Salisbury Playhouse.