West End’s Phoenix Arts Club Reopens to socially distanced audiences and announces sensational summer events
The legendary Phoenix Arts Club, located in London’s West End, reopened its art deco doors on Monday 17 May to socially distanced audiences with a stellar line-up of cabaret, musical theatre, non-binary drag, comedy and burlesque performers. For some of the artists, this was the first time they had taken to a stage for over a year. There was certainly a tear or two from both venue staff and regular community members, who were finally able to return to the world of live performing arts.
Since its forced closure in December 2020, the Phoenix Arts Club has continued to provide live streamed entertainment to hundreds of households across the UK, and since opening the box office last week, has already sold over 1,000 tickets, showing there’s clear demand for live theatre. Today it announces three months’ worth of nightly cabarets and comedy evenings at 7.30pm. The season features work in progress nights from emerging artists, Edinburgh Fringe Award Winners and stadium fillers including Simon Brodkin, Love Island’s Iain Stirling, Death Drop’s Holly Stars, Flo & Joan, Glamrou, Luke Kempner, Lounge Onyx, Ru Paul’s Drag Race’s Joe Black, the first female Perrier Award winner, Jenny Eclair, and many more.
Celebrating over thirty years of entertaining both visitors to the West End, and creatives working locally in theatre, film and music, The Phoenix Arts Club is the west end’s multi-award-winning, independently owned and operated entertainment club and speakeasy. Secreted away down the same little side street used in the opening sequence of Harry Potter and tucked beneath The Phoenix Theatre. The lively and nostalgic venue is now open nightly welcomes pre- and post-theatre drinks bookings and is open ‘til late.
Peter Dunbar Development & Marketing Director says:
“The whole Phoenix Team has worked incredibly hard to be one of the first venues to reopen in London’s West End, making continued improvements to the venue, devising new food and drinks offerings and booking in this stellar events season. We are thankful to everyone who has purchased a ticket to attend a show so far and booked a table to enjoy a long awaited catch-up with friends over a cocktail. We’ve taken a big risk in opening our doors and many arts venues have understandably remained closed. The logistics for putting on a theatre show is so complex, and the lack of government guidance and uncertainty on whether we’ll be asked to close again has meant many are mothballing their programming until the winter. As a grassroots venue we’re putting all shows on-sale socially distanced at 70 seats until we’re told with certainty we can open to full capacity, and many shows start at just £5 a ticket. By reopening, we are providing a platform in getting artists back to live work, many of whom haven’ performed for over a year.”
The full line-up can be found here: https://phoenixartsclub.com/whats-on
To book for drinks: https://phoenixartsclub.com/whats-on/mingle
Socials: @phoenixartsclub
Location: Phoenix Arts Club, One Phoenix Street, Soho, London, WC2H 8BU
Highlights of the 2021 May – August programme include:
Every Thursday: Showreel Live
Showreel LIVE offers YOU the opportunity to perform with a West End Musical Director in front of a LIVE audience AND have your performance filmed and uploaded online in minutes, ready for your showreel! Our tech whizzes make sure the camera, lights and action all make you look and sound superb using state-of-the-art technology.
Frequented by musical theatre newcomers, seasoned professionals and musical theatre lovers, every week is full of spontaneity and surprises. So it’s great simply to sit back and watch this high quality Musical Theatre night too.
Tickets just £5: https://bit.ly/3fwMNvn
Every Friday: Friday Night in Soho: The Stars of London Cabaret
Friday Night in Soho features a whole host of acts – cabaret, comedy, burlesque, even death-defying stunts courtesy of Guinness World Record holders and MORE!
You never know who might take to the stage at A Night in Soho, so when all’s said and done and you leave the club just in time for the last train home (or later if you so choose), keep what you have witnessed a secret, as it’s moments like these that make The Phoenix Arts Club the magical place it is.
Tickets from £12.50: http://phoenixartsclub.com/friday-night-in-soho
Every Saturday: The Saturday Supershow with Michael Twaits & Special Guests
The new Saturday Supershow features comedy, cabaret, drag, musical theatre, and top-tier entertainment every Saturday night, hosted by legendary cabaret host Michael Twaits, with Sarah Rose on piano. Leave song requests, celebrate with friends and support this independent grassroots entertainment venue. Only limited tickets are available to each live show, so secure them now!
Tickets from £12.50: https://phoenixartsclub.com/shows/the-saturday-supershow-cabaret-show-london-west-end-soho
25 May: Dom Pipkin’s Sweet Sounds of New Orleans
“The soul of New Orleans in the UK” Dom Pipkin is acknowledged as one of best in the genre. His shows are hugely entertaining, yet true to the spirit and authenticity of this most spicy of piano styles. Pipkin draws material from the greats – Fats Domino, Dr John, and Allen Toussaint – and mixes it with his own life-affirming songwriting, showcased last year with the release of his solo album “C’mon Sunshine”.
Tickets from £10: https://phoenixartsclub.com/shows/dom-pipkins-sweet-sounds-of-new-orleans
30 May: Three for Tea: The Afternoon Tea Cabaret
Experience an afternoon tea like no other in the glitzy west end members club, The Phoenix Arts Club at Three for Tea: the afternoon tea cabaret! Sip on bubbly, enjoy a scrumptious afternoon tea and let saucy “sisters” Bouncy Hunter and Kimber Keys immerse you in the golden age of cabaret with songs, comedy, and socially distanced audience interaction. What’s more, there’ll be plenty of tease as from world-famous burlesque performer Jolie Papillion
Tickets from £10: https://bit.ly/3oz6VkB
31 May: Holly Stars Time of the Month
Time of the Month is a camp cabaret extravaganza at the Phoenix Arts Club. A combination of comedy, chat, games and stellar drag performances, this is definitely one you want to add to your diary. The lineup for May includes feminist poetry icon Barbara Brownskirt, unforgettable drag thing CYRO and the eternally glamorous Asia Thorne.
Tickets from £10: https://phoenixartsclub.com/shows/holly-stars-time-of-the-month-may-31-london-west-end-soho
1 june: Joe Black: Speakeasy Spooktacular
Join international dark cabaret sensation Joe Black for a socially distanced speakeasy soiree.
‘Exceptional’ – Broadway Baby – ★★★★★
‘A well-sussex, well tasty exponent of commedia del’ arte farce’ – QX – ★★★★★
‘The king of cabaret noir’ – The Metro
Tickets: https://phoenixartsclub.com/shows/joe-black-speakeasy-spooktacular-london-west-end-soho
2 June: Luke Kempner & Glenn Moore
The Phoenix Arts Club and Avalon Promotions have teamed up to bring a series of work in progress shows throughout June and July. Luke Kempner has quickly established himself as the UK’s hottest new impressionist for the millennial comedy generation, amassing over 3 million views online, through his viral sketch videos. Luke is part of the new Spitting Image cast, which can be seen now on BritBox.
£10 Tickets: https://phoenixartsclub.com/shows/luke-kempner-glenn-moore-comedy-london-soho-west-end
7 June: Keith Ramsay: The Factory
“Liza Minnelli meets Sid Vicious” : Award-winning actor and cabaret artist Keith Ramsay returns to the Phoenix Arts Club for their monthly salon: The Factory: a space in which the electrifying, haunting and decadent collide. A glittering confection of classical queer kabaret, cinematic glamour, madness, horror and melancholia:
Tickets from £8 https://phoenixartsclub.com/shows/keith-ramsay-the-factory-london-west-end-soho
8 June: Lynn Ruth is Legal!
Lynn Ruth Miller, the world’s oldest performing stand-up comedienne and burlesque sensation celebrates being granted her exceptional talent visa with her new live show, Lynn Ruth is Legal! An evening of tale of through songs, stories and jokes about what the lockdown taught her, and how she came out of it. Lynn Ruth will be joined by UK folk guitarist Steve Gifford. Lynn Ruth Miller is best recognised for her many TV appearances including Britain’s Got Talent, America’s Got Talent and First Dates. Winner of the Soho Theatre and Time Out best cabaret awards, and twice Texas Burlesque Festival champion!
Tickets from £8: https://phoenixartsclub.com/shows/lynn-ruth-miller-is-legal-london-west-end-soho
9 June: Sarah Rose Goes it Alone
Cabaret pianist extraordinaire and Offie-nominated musical director Sarah Rose Bodalbhai takes to the stage without a drag act in sight! Following the release of her singer-songwriter debut single, Soar, she’ll be unveiling other pop songs she’s written and arranged alongside a couple of covers and other musical surprises, accompanied by some very talented musician friends.
Tickets from £10: https://bit.ly/3417mL2
9 June: Laughing Labia Post-Lockdown Special
Laughing Labia proudly presents a diverse line-up of female comedians. Diversity is mostly emphasised in this show. We want to show that entertainment can be so much funnier, richer and deeper than represented on TV and in the media.
Line-up: Maz Alexander, Maureen Younger, Jenin Younes, Katie Pritchard, Aimee Cooper, Athena Kugblenu & MC: Alice Frick
Tickets from £8: https://bit.ly/3417mL2
16 June: Simon Brodkin & Iain Stirling
The Phoenix Arts Club and Avalon Promotions have teamed up to bring a series of work in progress shows throughout June and July. Simon Brodkin Acclaimed character comedian and “the world’s most famous blagger” (The Daily Telegraph), Simon is now performing as himself Iain Stirling BAFTA-winning comedian Iain Stirling is best known as the brilliantly funny voice of the hit reality show Love Island.
£10 Tickets: https://phoenixartsclub.com/shows/simon-brodkin-iain-stirling-work-in-progress-comedy-london-west-end-soho
23 June: Flo & Joan + Jacob Hawley
The Phoenix Arts Club and Avalon Promotions have teamed up to bring a series of work in progress shows throughout June and July. Come down and watch some of the hottest acts on the UK circuit try out some new material, will be loads of fun!! All tickets just £10 each. Flo & Joan Flo & Joan are the multi-award winning British musical comedy duo, and sisters, Nicola and Rosie Dempsey.
£10 tickets: https://phoenixartsclub.com/shows/flo-joan-jacob-hawley-comedy-london-west-end-soho
27 June: An Evening of Shopland & Hughes
David Shopland and Callum Hughes are two new rising stars on the Musical Theatre scene – and they want to share some of their exciting work with you from a range of BRAND NEW musicals currently in development! The sensational cast includes Matthew Quinn (Dreamboats and Petticoats, Saturday Night Fever), Jo Napthine (Les Miserables, Jerry Springer: The Opera), Edward Baruwa (Motown, Heathers), Siubhan Harrison (From Here To Eternity, Guys and Dolls), Matt Wycliffe (Jersey Boys, Million Dollar Quartet), and Emma Louise Hoey (Club Mex, Wizard of Oz).
Tickets: https://bit.ly/33XqCJo
4 & 6 July: Glamrou and Friends
Renowned Iraqi drag queen Glamrou previews parts of their transgressive and uplifting show, Glamrou: From Quran to Queen, and invites some of her best queer pals to showcase exciting new work
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3407jz7
7 July: Jenny Eclair & Lou Sanders
The Phoenix Arts Club and Avalon Promotions have teamed up to bring a series of work in progress shows throughout June and July. Come down and watch some of the hottest acts on the UK circuit try out some new material, will be loads of fun!! Jenny Eclair: Stand-up comedian Jenny Eclair was the first woman to win the Perrier Award – theUK’s top comedy award – in 1995. Since then she has also found fame as the author of six critically acclaimed novels. Her latest, Inheritance, combines incredible poignancy and unforgettable characters, all with Jenny Eclair’s trademark wit.
£10 Tickets: https://phoenixartsclub.com/shows/jenny-eclair-lou-sanders-work-in-progress-comedy
12 July: A Night in Springfield
A fan-diddly-dabulous evening of *excellent* Simpsons-themed cabaret. Marge burlesque! Drag king Groundskeeper Willie! Lizard Queen Lisa! And enough special surprises to pack 32 seasons with… After a sell-out first show and huge acclaim from audience and reviews, A Night in Springfield returns to the Phoenix Arts Club on 12th July with an all-new cast! Simpsons’ fans rejoice as your favourite cartoon comes to life once again with unique performances by some of cabaret’s cookiest entertainers complete with camp, colour, and plenty of cowabunga.
Tickets from £8: https://bit.ly/2Senh5W
13 & 20 July: Robin Askwith
We would like to say how nice it is that everything is back to normal but when Askwith walks on stage you know things are never going to be normal!
From smoking funny cigarettes with Jimi Hendrix to sword fighting with Frank Bruno and Sooty he takes us on a topsy turvy journey that will have you reaching for your next pint!
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3tYezpS
14 July: Dana Gillespie and Dino Baptist Blues It Up
Misty Moon Presents Dana Gillespie and Dino Baptist Blues It Up!
Dana Gillespie and Dino Baptiste perform an old style of Blues with plenty of Boogie Woogie. They normally work together in Dana’s group, the London Blues Band but for one night they will be up close and personal, in a slightly risqué way. Dana Gillespie is an English actress, singer and songwriter. Originally performing and recording in her teens, over the years Gillespie has been involved in the recording of over 45 albums,[3] and appeared in stage productions, such as Jesus Christ Superstar, and several films.
28 July: Lounge Onyx
Produced by previous Burlesque Idol winner, Onyx Fatale, join the Lounge Onyx, an unforgettable cabaret. The Lounge will bring you an array of talent from some of the best and up and coming black performers on the cabaret show as we delight you with burlesque, poetry, drag, comedy and everything in between. Be prepared for an eye opening production that opens your mind to understand the power of black bodies on the grandest stage in Soho….
Tickets from £12 https://phoenixartsclub.com/shows/lounge-onyx-cabaret-london-west-end-soho
24 August: Clinton Baptiste Goes Stratospheric Tour Warm Up Show
From Bolton via Vegas…..to the stars!
Following the massive success of his last UK tour, clairvoyant medium and psychic Clinton Baptiste has gone exploring, stateside. Not quite Caesar’s Palace but a series of shows in Vegas have lifted his celebrity status up a notch. Let him take you on a journey from his humble roots via the dazzling heights of Sin City…..and on to an amazing finale that will heal the world.
£10 tickets: https://bit.ly/3udeRtf