Closure of West End cabaret venue would remove ‘first step on the ladder’ for artists

The owner of a cabaret venue in West London has said that its potential closure would mean the loss of a chance for young performers to get their “foot on the ladder”.

The Phoenix Arts Club, founded in 1988, hosts performances including comedy shows and open mics as well as cabaret and variety acts.

But the co-owner Ken Wright told The Stage that  it has “run out of options” as it attempts to fundraise to stave off closure.

By the end of February, the venue had raised £6,541 through a Crowdfunder page set up in January to “keep the Phoenix flying”.

But the organisers say they face an annual shortfall of £125,000 from running the venue “to its full extent”. The management had hoped to generate £60,000 through donations and membership.

Wright said that a lack of venues such as the Phoenix would make it more difficult for new artists to establish themselves in the sector.

“There’s going to be a lot of cabaret acts wondering where their next rent will come from, and a lot of kids from the sorts of backgrounds that don’t easily get into theatre will have lost one more chance to get their foot on the ladder in this industry,” he said.