The Opera House will reopen in the autumn regardless of whether or not enough money is raised to upgrade the current tech equipment, which dates back to the late 1990s and early 2000s.
With the current equipment, the venue can host comedians and classical music concerts – but not stage plays and musicals with more complicated needs.
A government-funded £12.7 million refurbishment is coming to its conclusion, but Jersey Opera House Ltd, the company operating the venue, are appealing for a further £1.5 million for technical upgrades.
The theatre’s interim director Andy Eagle explained that the equipment has remained unchanged until the theatre’s closure in 2020.
“Some of it is functional, but is limited,” he said. “Elements are missing – for example a prompt desk.”
Currently, Mr Eagle explained, choirs, classical music concerts, and plays with simple staging and lighting were possible to hold, but productions with “considerable changes of scenery” or with performers going on and off stage – meaning they would need to be called from dressing rooms – are not possible.
But, he said, he hoped the venue could be host to “a diverse programme” that would appeal to a wide variety of islanders.
If the required funds are raised, Mr Eagle said, the transformation of the technical equipment should not take too long and the organisation would be able to book shows for 2026.
Mr Eagle also addressed questions about whether Jersey Opera House Ltd was ready to sign the lease to the venue, stating that he was ready to sign it as soon as the contract was ready.
The venue would open in autumn “regardless” of whether tech can be upgraded, he added – but said he hoped that the £1.5 million would be raised by the end of March.
“The theatre should open as it means to go on,” he said.
The director compared the difference to moving from an iPhone 2 to an iPhone 15.
The fundraiser had been met with a “very positive” reaction and “understanding of the situation”, he said.
Mr Eagle added that, in the light of data that shows islanders are attending fewer cultural events, the Opera House was “very needed in the island”.
He said that surveys found the island had good education and safety, but that there was “a clear lack” of cultural provision.
Still, he said, the island had “huge potential” and “a need for a cultural provision”.
Mr Eagle added: “The Opera House can be part of a vibrant cultural offering.”
The 2022 Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey found that younger people were attending fewer cultural events and activities than they were in 2017: cinema visits fell by 28%, live music by 33%, art exhibitions by 38%, dance shows by 67%, and plays, pantomimes or musicals by 44%.
These figures have gone up slightly since, and in 2024, 12% of islanders had attended a stage performance, 8% had seen a concert or choir, and 6% attended a dance or ballet performance.
Mr Eagle said he hoped the Opera House could open “with a collective ‘wow’ and collective excitement”.
He added: “The Opera House is a wonderful theatre. It’s clearly treasured by the island, people want to get back to see things.
“They want to get back on the stage for various events and community shows… we want the best for the island.”
In this week’s States sitting, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham and Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan claimed the technical upgrades were not essential.
Mr Jehan said: “I understand that shows could take place today on the stage, but I understand the aspirations for enhanced systems for lighting and for staging, which weren’t part of the project that was given to [Jersey] Property Holdings.”
Deputy Farnham added: “I do not agree that the Opera House cannot open without some extra technology. It can open. And they should get themselves open.
“There’s a big investment, and they should start putting shows on.”
SUPPORT…
Islanders who would like to find out more information on how to support the Opera House appeal can contact Andy Eagle at andrew.eagle@jerseyoperahouse.co.uk.