Opera house announces first professional pantomime

An opera house has announced it will be producing its first professional pantomime.

Jersey Opera House said the production added an "exciting new professional strand" to the island's "long-established pantomime tradition".

The show, Jack and the Beanstalk, has been written by Paul Hendy and will be co-produced with Evolution Productions, it said.

Sebastian Warrack, CEO of Jersey Opera House, said: "Bringing a professional pantomime to Jersey Opera House for the first time is incredibly exciting and marks another important step in our future."

Previously, the opera house has run non-professional pantomimes with Jersey Green Room Theatre company, such as Robinson Crusoe and Cinderella.

Warrack added: "Pantomime is a much-loved theatrical tradition, and working with Evolution Productions allows us to deliver something truly special for Island audiences while also creating meaningful professional opportunities for local performers."

Jack and the Beanstalk will run at Jersey Opera House from 18 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.

A spokesperson for the Opera House said that while it would be a fully professional production, they were committed to engaging Island talent with a young company cast and submissions from local professional performers.

It said further details about auditions for ensemble and young performer roles would be announced later in the year, adding that there would also be opportunities for stage management and technical support for the production.

Rebecca Stanier, programme manager for Jersey Opera House, said: "When planning our Christmas programme, it was important to broaden the range of work that audiences can enjoy at the Opera House.

"Pantomime presents a first theatrical experience for so many, introducing this will offer a high-quality theatrical experience to all audiences during one of the busiest times of year."

Paul Hendy, writer and producer at Evolution Productions, said they were thrilled to be working with Jersey Opera House.

He said: "We can't wait to bring this spectacular pantomime to this fabulous theatre, and we're really looking forward to discovering some fantastic talent on the Island."

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