Jersey Opera House 'ready' for Liberation Day reopening

Audiences will take their seats in Jersey Opera House for the first time in more than five years when it reopens on Liberation Day.

The historic theatre has had a £13 million taxpayer-funded refurbishment.

It closed for the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, but could not reopen when restrictions were limited because major safety concerns were found with the Victorian building, which opened in 1900 having twice previously burned down.

Curtain up comes in time for it to stage two special concerts for Liberation Day, put on by Music in Action as part of its annual Liberation Music Festival.

The shows, at 5.30pm and 8pm, will see the famous players of the Philhamonia Orchestra, directed by the internationally acclaimed violinist Harriet Mackenzie, take audiences on 'a vibrant musical journey blending old and new with an exciting Latin American twist'.

Jo Quenault, from the theatre, told Channel 103 she cannot wait to see the new seats in the grand auditorium filled again;

"We are absolutely thrilled and excited to be able to share with Jersey such a pivotal moment, on the 80th anniversary of Liberation.

"We are ready!  We are working backstage and front-of-house to open our doors widely and welcome the community of Jersey back in to our wonderful opera house."

"I think the audience will be absolutely thrilled when they walk inside and see the beautiful building, the stage, the seating, the stalls - it's absolutely beautiful.

"It is all down to the hard work of the team at the Opera House and the government's significant investment in a beautiful building that we hope will be an open house of exciting and diverse programming, embracing the community and developing the arts within Jersey."

On Monday 12 May, the theatre will host its first touring production since it closed in 2020, with a performance from the D-Day Darlings in celebration of the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the end of the Second World War in Europe.

The theatre get its full gala relaunch in the summer, ahead of a programme of shows this autumn which already includes comedy, music and family entertainment.

Already in the autumn line-up is acclaimed Jersey singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot, returning to her roots with a special homecoming performance as part of her 'All Roads Lead To' tour.

Nerina told Channel 103 how she is feeling about the prospect of taking to the Opera House stage again after such a long time.

"It's the most important theatre in my life really.

"The Opera House is the first stage I ever stood on as a child in the Eisteddfod.  It sounds a bit silly, but it was my 'theatre of dreams' as a kid, and I got a taste for performing. 

"It is such a special place.  It is so important for everyone in Jersey to have a place like this, to inspire people and take them out of the every day - that's what I think theatre does."

"I have played so many different kinds of theatres all over the world, and some of the more modern ones - they're fine - but there is something fantastic and old fashioned about it (JOH), and I really love it for that.

"Certain venues have this magic about them that just bring out a better performance from you. Jersey Opera House is definitely one of those places."