YOU’LL never walk alone’ was the message that came across loud and clear from a packed auditorium last night to theatre director Ian Stephens as he unlocked the doors of the Opera House for the premiere of the Jersey Green Room Club’s production of Carousel.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is the first big production to be staged at the theatre since the fear of insolvency forced Jersey Opera House Ltd to suspend trading on 14 February.

Mr Stephens said that it was an emotional moment when he switched on the theatre’s lights and brought the Opera House back to life once again.

Almost drowning in a sea of wellwishers, all of whom wanted to shake his hand, his beaming smile said it all.

‘For the last few weeks I have been the caretaker of an empty building,’ he said.

‘In my entire career this has never happened to me before.

‘It is wonderful to have the Opera House open again and performing the role that it was meant for.

‘Everyone is so happy and people have been so supportive – it is quite overwhelming.’