Entertainment

This is the gateway to Jerripedia's articles on the history of entertainment in Jersey, from high-brow theatre and opera, to the rock musicians of the 'sixties, and much, much more. Learn about the history of Jersey's Opera House, a building which has twice been reborn after devastating fires. Read all about one of the most famous Jerseywomen of all time, Lillie Langtry, who was born in Jersey, performed on its stages, and achieved fame in London society. Discover the history of West Park Pavilion, a popular venue over the years for all types of entertainment. And perhaps you could also make a contribution to this section - Click on the User contribution list on the left

Main subjects

• The Opera House
• West Park Pavilion
• The Olympia NEW
• Other venues
• Lillie Langtry
• Seymour Hicks
• Jersey-born actors and performers
• Visiting actors, musicians and other artistes
• Bergerac, popular television series
• The history of Jersey theatre Part 1
• Theatre history Part 2
• Music
• Cinema
• Jersey Green Room Club
• Pantomime
• The Arts Centre
  

Lillie Langtry

Actress, socialite, mistress of the future Edward VII, Lillie Langtry, born Emily Charlotte Le Breton in St Saviour's Rectory in 1853, is arguably the most famous Jerseywoman of all time. Her Jerripedia biography is accompanied by the largest online collection of photographs of her. The daughter of a Rector and Dean of Jersey, a notorious womaniser, she was to be married twice, and to have a famous affair with the Prince of Wales during which she was even presented to his mother, Queen Victoria. She died in Monaco and was buried in the churchyard at St Saviour in her native island.

Opera House

The centre for much of the best entertainment in Jersey since it first opened as the Royal Amphitheatre and Circus in 1865, the Opera House has had a chequered history. It was rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 1899, and severely damaged in a second fire in 1921. It has been a cinema, opera house, theatre and arts centre, suffered bankruptcies, and survived into the 21st century thanks to substantial public funding.

Known variously as West Park Pavilion, the Tin Hut, Behan's and the Inn on the Park, this was Jersey's most important venue for popular entertainment for many decades. It exists no longer, having been demolished and replaced by a block of luxury apartments, but it lives on in the memory of many islanders who enjoyed children's parties, discotheques, pop concerts, dances and other forms of entertainment there.