Painting by Dame Judi Dench raises thousands for charity

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A painting by Dame Judi Dench has sold for £6,900 at a charity auction in Surrey.

The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, in Guildford, hosted the Supper With The Stars event on Wednesday, with celebrity guests including Richard Stilgoe, Isla Blair and radio DJ Peter Gordon.

The online auction, which closed 22:15 BST with the successful bidder being announced shortly afterwards, was part of the charity event, with proceeds going towards the theatre’s creative learning programme, which supports vulnerable members of the community.

A collar and bow tie, worn by Sir David Suchet as Poirot, also sold for £650.

The painting by Dame Judi Dench, patron of the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, was completed in 2025 and was one of the last works the 91-year-old was able to paint due to her failing sight.

Money raised from the watercolour of the Scottish Highlands will go towards supporting youth and community work.

David Beal, the theatre’s head of development, said: “We work with people across Surrey – families, children, people who have experienced financial barriers, young carers and those with additional needs.

“We provide opportunities to engage with the theatre and arts in a broader sense – most of the money from last night will go towards that work.”

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Beal says the theatre is looking to fund its new youth theatre, which is expanding in September.

He says he hopes “half the places at the youth theatre will be completely free to those participating”.

The auction also sold a piano lesson with Simon May, who composed the EastEnders theme tune, for £700, and an Albert Square road sign, signed by the EastEnders cast, which went for £275.

The event raised over £65,000 for the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

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Painting by Judi Dench to be auctioned for charity

Why was a theatre named after Yvonne Arnaud?

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre