By Jeff Clark in Christchurch

The Court Theatre is open to the public. Typing those words is a great feeling. Last week we finally cast the doors wide and welcomed the people who are the life blood of the theatre back to The Court.

Over the last few weeks I haven’t blogged much. That’s probably because I, like everyone at The Court, have been working almost around the clock to get the theatre ready. It’s been hard for everyone – at times I’m sure each of us have thought “we’re doomed” – but in the days before December 10 we reached the point where the impossible suddenly seemed achievable, then suddenly a reality.

Before that, of course, were a number of events, preview performances of A Shortcut to Happiness to thank the various people that make the theatre what it is.

The first event was the last of the “Company Meetings” we have been holding for the Court “family” (essentially anyone who has worked with the theatre in any capacity over the years) in the theatre. Of course, the turnout was much higher for this particular meeting - actors, directors and numerous others made special journeys to see the new space. For those who were there at the beginning, myself included, seeing a theatre in what was an empty shed was remarkable.

Words were said, drinks were drunk (as a result, my actual memory of the whole event is somewhat hazy) and there was a palpable feeling of expectation. It was a wonderful event of celebration and catharsis.

A few days later, it was the 'VIP' opening – an event for the major contributors to the fundraising appeal and supporters of the company through the hardest year in its forty-year history.

As a variety of people spoke to the assembled crowd about the achievements of the last few months the enormity of what has been achieved hit home. Construction has been completed in just sixteen weeks. $4.6 million has (almost) been raised in just over nine months. Our company has gone from scattered and scared to rebuilt and resurgent ahead of many others – we are being hailed as the first public institution to reopen to the public. It is remarkable, and something which I think everyone who has played a part – staff, workers, donors and all of those who contributed to the rebuild – will remember for a long time.

Then there was the public opening. All the preparation, all the effort and all the stress boiled down to that day when we finally welcomed everyone to the new space. It was a full house (there was a waiting list of people clamouring to be in that first audience) and the reaction before, during and after the show made it clear that the new theatre – and the play – were a resounding success with the public. Reviews have raved – not just about the play itself but the new theatre, which has been a huge relief.

It’s not over – it never is, in art – and as I write this there is the next season brochure to be worked on, a new show programme to start and feedback to be collated. It being the Christmas season, The Court Jesters have opened their annual show A Very Merry Scriptless to cap off their busiest year ever. This year it was decided to make it an improvised full-length musical. I was offered a role and despite (or perhaps because of) the amount of other work and stress I had, agreed to do the show (which included a week of intensive rehearsal before we opened). The romantic-comedy-improv-Christmas-musical seems to be pretty popular with audiences and it’s been a great oasis of fun amongst everything else.

Around the rest of the city, several other arts organisations are providing some festive cheer. Christmas in the Park was a (well attended) success, and the CSO concert A Cantabrian Christmas featured a wonderful performance of music, carols (with new lyrics to 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' for locals) as well as an orchestral accompaniment to 'The Wonky Donkey'. There are two different Christmassy musical revues coming up ('Celebrate Christmas' with the Christchurch Cathedral Choir and 'Mistletones' by a group of music-lovers) as well. The only dim factor is an uncertain re-opening date for the Christchurch Art Gallery (a nearby apartment building needs to be demolished first).

What a year. The past twelve months have been the most stressful, the most challenging and the most remarkable I can think of. To have come out of the other side (or at least, made significant headway towards the other side) is something that I will always count myself lucky to have been a part of. As of yesterday I was moved into my new office – no longer in the “carbuncle” on the side of the shed, but working inside the facility.

Two weeks left in 2011, then we get to 2012. I’m looking forward to closing the page on this chapter and opening the next. If you’re ever in the area, feel free to pop in and say hello.