STAG’S SHOWBUSINESS

In March of last year Victoria’s only gay bar, The Stag, finally closed its doors and made way for the impending bulldozers, who were to demolish every last stone, along with all of its rich gay heritage. With it went one of London’s most successful small theatres: Above The Stag, created there in 2008. Unlike the bar below, however, the theatre company did not crumble at its foundations. 

The driving force behind Above The Stag, Artistic Director Peter Bull, explains: ‘We spent a lot of time searching for the right venue for the new theatre. It’s not as easy as you’d think. We looked at many rooms above pubs, basements, derelict warehouses and other spaces.’

The theatre reformed last year, briefly, and set up temporary residence at The Landor Theatre in Clapham for its annual foray into panto-land with ‘Get Aladdin’ – supported by the theatre’s devoted following. Spurred on by its continued success, Peter knew that the search for a permanent home was still well and truly on. They eventually struck gold when a Vauxhall railway arch came up…

‘The new venue in Vauxhall provides all the key elements we were looking for: a big enough space to create a theatre and bar; a fairly central location (Vauxhall borders Zones 1 & 2); great transport links; an easy walk from the tube station; a large LGBT population, and within the vicinity of other LGBT bars, clubs and other businesses.’

Their now infamous adult panto opens later this month, heralding a new chapter for Above The Stag, which in true theatrical form has risen like a phoenix from the ashes. ‘Jack Off The Beanstalk’ promises cross-dressing (which we’re quite partial to), sweet-throwing, silliness, selfie-taking and songs. All done in the best possible panto taste, of course.

Looking ahead, Peter is confident that, finally, the theatre has found the stability and security it has been craving for. ‘Already we are working on next year’s panto and looking at the programme for 2015. You can expect a full range of theatrical productions.’

 

The driving force behind Above The Stag, Artistic Director Peter Bull, explains: ‘We spent a lot of time searching for the right venue for the new theatre. It’s not as easy as you’d think. We looked at many rooms above pubs, basements, derelict warehouses and other spaces.’

The theatre reformed last year, briefly, and set up temporary residence at The Landor Theatre in Clapham for its annual foray into panto-land with ‘Get Aladdin’ – supported by the theatre’s devoted following. Spurred on by its continued success, Peter knew that the search for a permanent home was still well and truly on. They eventually struck gold when a Vauxhall railway arch came up…

‘The new venue in Vauxhall provides all the key elements we were looking for: a big enough space to create a theatre and bar; a fairly central location (Vauxhall borders Zones 1 & 2); great transport links; an easy walk from the tube station; a large LGBT population, and within the vicinity of other LGBT bars, clubs and other businesses.’

Their now infamous adult panto opens later this month, heralding a new chapter for Above The Stag, which in true theatrical form has risen like a phoenix from the ashes. ‘Jack Off The Beanstalk’ promises cross-dressing (which we’re quite partial to), sweet-throwing, silliness, selfie-taking and songs. All done in the best possible panto taste, of course.

Looking ahead, Peter is confident that, finally, the theatre has found the stability and security it has been craving for. ‘Already we are working on next year’s panto and looking at the programme for 2015. You can expect a full range of theatrical productions.’

 

• ‘Jack Off the Beanstalk’ runs from 29th November – 5th January at Above the Stag, Arch 17, Miles Street, London. SW8 1RZ. 

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