Theatre and Cinema in Jersey
On this page you can find links to see what's on in every theatre and cinema in Jersey.
Opera House
The oldest theatre in Jersey is the Opera House. It's a striking building inside and out, with stalls, a dress circle and an upper circle. A few years ago it was renovated and at the same time disabled access was greatly improved. There is a constant program of some of the best shows touring the UK - drama, comedy and music - as well as local productions.
Getting there
The Opera House is in Gloucester St, in St Helier and is only a few minutes walk from the Town Centre. There is parking close by at both Sand St and Patriotic St car parks (free in the evenings and Sunday).
All buses coming from the west of the Island (7, 7a, 7b, 8, 8a, 9, 12, 12a, 14, 15) stop very close (ask for Gloucester St.) For buses home you will need to cross to the other side of the dual carriageway and walk along towards La Fregate Cafe (the one that looks like an upside down boat.) Check your return journey as not all routes run late in the evening. Current bus timetables can be seen here.
If you need a taxi, best to book in advance. There is no rank nearby.
There is a brochure for this theatre that can be viewed online here.
It describes the shows. You can't book on line - you need to phone them on 01534 511115. The box office is open from 10am Monday to Saturday.
Jersey Arts Centre
The Jersey Arts Centre has two theatre venues:
Benjamin Meaker Theatre
The main Arts Centre in Phillips St has a modern 250 seat theatre, a bar and small restaurant. It's very close to the centre of Town. The Bar Gallery is a small gallery space within the bar, and upstairs is the larger Berni Gallery. The box office for this theatre and St James is based here. The theatre hosts a program which includes drama (touring and local), classical music, contemporary dance and international blues guitarists and is home to the Jersey Film Society.
Parking is nearby at Minden Place car park (free in the evening and on Sundays).
There are a small number of wheelchair seating spaces available and an induction loop. You need to ask when you book.
St James
A short walk away in St James St, this is a converted church building. It's only open when there is an event on. There is a small raised stage, with un-numbered seating on one level downstairs where chairs are put out for the event, and in the upstairs gallery. There is disabled access to the downstairs. Used for some drama and for regular world music events. The Arts Cente brochure optomistically describes the venue as 'acoustically atmospheric' - in fact I've not found the acoustics great for music events. The advantage of St James as a venue for world music is that the seating makes it easy for people to get up and dance - not so easy at the Benjamin Meaker Theatre. There is no bar or restaurant here, although there is a pub on the next corner.
Parking is at Green St car park (free on Sundays and evenings.)
You can check what's on at the Jersey Arts Centre venues
here.
You can book tickets online or by phone on 700444. The box office is
open Monday to Saturday 10am to 8pm and 45 minutes before a Sunday
performance. Tickets can also be bought at St James 45 minutes before
the performance starts.
Tip If you are in a group of more than ten, you can get one free ticket for every ten you pay for at some events.
Gloucester Hall - Fort Regent
Gloucester Hall at Fort Regent is a large auditorium seating up to 2000 people. It has an occasional program of events, mostly musical, including popular tribute shows, dance spectaculars and visiting orchestras. Temporary bar tables are usually set up for big events. At other times the hall reverts to sports activities.
Tip Although there is some food available at Fort Regent it's mostly fast food. If you want to eat out before the show, look for restaurants near the Weighbridge area.
Parking is at Pier Rd car park, although this quickly fills up if there is a big event.
If you are coming by bus, it's a short, uphill walk from the bus station. If you don't fancy the walk, it's a very short taxi ride from the ranks at the bus station or Snow Hill.
Tip From the bus station, walk between the Connex office and the Jersey museum, and then up the steps. Turn right at the top. Cross the road to the car park, and take the lift to floor 10 where you will find escalators up the the main entrance of Fort Regent.
There are some disabled parking spaces right near the main entrance to Fort Regent - and a ramp into the building, but there is still a fair walk to the Gloucester Hall itself.
You can see some of the coming events at the Gloucester Hall here.
Forum Cinema
The Forum cinema is in Bath St, close to the centre of Town, in the building that used to house the Odeon. There is parking at Gas Place and Minden Place and Nelson St car parks. All of these can be full during the daytime, especially Saturdays, and are free on Sundays and evenings. You are mostly likely to find a space at Minden Place in the evenings.
The Forum Cinema is a smaller, friendly cinema, with four screens, run by a real cinema enthusiast - although most films shown are current box office releases. You even get to speak to a real human when you ring them!
Tip All day on Mondays tickets are reduced. On Thursdays over 50's get even cheaper seats and 20% off at the kiosk.
Screens 3 and 4 are downstairs and have wheelchair access. All screens have induction loops.
You can check what's on at the Forum Cinema here. The Forum Cinema also organise the Jersey Film Festival in August. Family films are shown outdoors in the lovely setting of Howard Davis park.
Cineworld
Cineworld is a big ten-screen cinema on the Waterfront in St Helier.
Parking is at the nearby Waterfront car park.
You can look on the Cineworld website to find out what's on in Jersey this week here.
It is possible to book in advance on 0871 200 200, but it's not usually
necessary unless it's for the premiere of something really big - and the
booking line is one of those automated ones that takes ages and drives
me nuts!
Opera House theatre
Jersey Arts Centre and St James
Gloucester Hall
Forum Cinema
Cineworld
Jersey Film Festival
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