Miss Curigwen Lewis was born in Llandrindod Wells, Wales, the only daughter of Morris John Lewis and Martha Elizabeth Evans. After a local education she joined the Cambridge Festival Theatre Company in 1928 making her first stage appearance in 30 Miniutes in the Street, before moving to Northampton Repertory Theatre Company where she remained until 1931. On 13 October 1936, Miss Lewis played the title role in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre at the Queen's Theatre, London