Jerudong Park Amphitheater

The Jerudong Park Amphitheater is an amphitheater at Jerudong Park in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The amphitheater was built for a free Michael Jackson concert for the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's fiftieth birthday in 1996.^[1] The theater is located in Jerudong Park's Garden, designed with only a roof and its capacity is over 60,000. The stage is removable and can be replaced with another stage.

Jerudong Park Amphitheater

Jerudong Park Country Club Amphitheater
Amphitheater in 2023
Jerudong Park Amphitheater Location within Southeast Asia Show map of Southeast Asia Jerudong Park Amphitheater Jerudong Park Amphitheater (Borneo) Show map of Borneo Jerudong Park Amphitheater Jerudong Park Amphitheater (Brunei) Show map of Brunei
Address	Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei
Location	Jerudong Park Garden, Bandar Seri Begawan
Coordinates	4°55′58.8″N 114°49′59.5″E
Owner	The Bruneian Government (1995–present)
Seating type	Chevron
Executive suites	2
Capacity	Over 60,000
Record attendance	60,000
Construction
Built	1995–1996
Opened	July 16, 1996
Renovated	2011
Years active	July 16, 1996 – present

When Michael Jackson performed at the theater, he replaced the built-in stage with his own stage, from the Dangerous World Tour. When he returned for the HIStory World Tour, Jackson used the stage for the tour minus the cherry picker and a statue of Jackson. Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson, however, used the built-in stage. The theater is now used for wedding receptions, fundraiser events, and concerts.

Concerts

Michael Jackson

On July 16, 1996, American singer-songwriter and pop icon Michael Jackson performed a free, private concert for Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's fiftieth birthday. The concert resembled one from his previous Dangerous World Tour. Jackson was reportedly paid $17 million (equivalent to $34 million in 2024).^[2] Jackson would return to the venue, later that year, on December 31, as part of the HIStory World Tour; the Sultan was in attendance.^[3]

Whitney Houston

Main article: Whitney: Brunei The Royal Wedding Celebration

On August 24, 1996, American singer-actress Whitney Houston performed a concert for Princess Rashidah's wedding. The concert resembled one from her previous The Bodyguard World Tour. Houston also performed "The Greatest Love of All" and "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)". The concert was attended by the Sultan, Princess Rashidah, and her husband 'Abdul Rahim. Houston was paid $7 million (equivalent to $14 million in 2024) by the Sultan's brother, Prince Jefri.^[4]

Janet Jackson

During her Velvet Rope Tour, American singer Janet Jackson performed a concert for Princess Hamidah's twenty-first birthday, on April 22, 1998. British-Canadian girl group All Saints was the opening act and CDs of the performance were given to everyone in attendance.^[5] "Rope Burn", "Black Cat", and "What About" were not performed, possibility due to censorship reasons, and "Happy Birthday" was sung to the princess.