Above the Stag Theatre.

That is very sad news indeed. A vital space for queer theatre gone in an instant

Such a shame. Somehow I missed their pantos, but I did see some good stuff there over the years.

Yes, they had quite a lot lined up over the next few months. This morning's news was so very sudden! A notice saying "closed as of TODAY" is mad. I wonder what happened?

It's made the BBC London news with quite a lengthy feature just now.

In terms of its future I don't really know - it's funny that yesterday was a normal day of business with the bar open, a play on last night etc and then this morning - gone! You would think there would be some sort of notice period of a week or two but then I don't know much about these things.

When it opened originally, I imagine the concept of an LGBT theatre was quite ground-breaking. But nowadays so many other Off-West End venues around the city are producing LGBT content that they're no longer "unique" in that respect.

Statement to all Above The Stag stakeholders.
(Issued at 12noon on Tuesday 9 August 2022)

Since announcing the heart-breaking closure of our Vauxhall venue two days ago, Above The Stag has been overwhelmed by thousands of kind and positive messages of support.
Thank you!

The past 5 years, in our beautiful Vauxhall home, have been extremely happy and successful but financially very challenging. As a Charity and the UK’s only exclusively LGBT+ Theatre, we are delighted to have staged award winning productions, sponsored new talent of every kind, provided a rare cross-generational queer space for our LGBT+ community and given you all great nights out.
It has certainly been a privilege for us.

We are very proud of all the wonderful staff, creatives, technicians, actors, artists and especially our loyal audiences who have graced us with their presence. A big thank you to everyone who has walked through our doors and been part of the creation of some very special magic.

Regretfully, it has not been possible to come up with a feasible business plan for the next 5 years in our existing venue.
Our landlord, The Arch Company, has been very understanding and supportive.
Another contributing factor in the decision to close is that Network Rail, as a priority, have to carry out a full back to brick safety inspection and repairs to the arches within the next 6 months. The arches have to be closed, emptied, stripped back, and then all reinstated after the repairs are completed.

The show is not over yet... Above The Stag is still very much alive and kicking.
All furniture, fixtures, fittings and equipment are being transferred into storage in readiness for a reopening elsewhere at a later date.
Our Benefactors have committed to donating £2m over the next 5 years subject to us finding a fit for purpose new venue and coming up with a feasible 5 year business plan. The search for our new home begins now!

Our mailing list members will be kept informed of all our future plans. If you want to join our mailing list or you have any suggestions regarding a suitable new home for us then please email us at mail@abovethestag.org.uk

We look forward to hearing from you and to keeping in touch with you.

Speculation, but there may have had some legal or insolvency practitioner advice along the lines of they have to close now to avoid a real risk to creditors, for which the directors would be personally liable. Whilst the suddenness of the announcement seems out of place, if they had carried on they might have reached the point of no return re the business, or at least increased risk to unacceptable level to creditors and stakeholders.

The fact they acknowledge the landlord and benefactors may indicate that they and other stakeholders would have also had a say, or at least the directors need to take those views into account in their decision making.

No doubt there have been discussions and advice over many months even though to the outside it was “business as usual”, so to the outside world it may appear sudden or unexpected.

Very very strange. as said above no explanation at all for the immediacy of the closure.

Y/E 2020 accounts state a cash reserve of £650k, and the theatre was closed that year.
Y/E 2021 accounts are due to be published in next 3 weeks so perhaps they'll show something???

Above the Stag occupied arches 72 & 73, I think. The quoted rent for the vacant arches just a little further down the track is £35 per square foot, plus VAT.

www.thearchco.com/properties/VXH02604/

Are any of the neighbouring businesses having to close for this brick inspection? It seems unlikely that Network Rail would only want to inspect, then repair, just the few metres above Above the Stag..

Seems odd they didn't get funding considering the RVT nearby got money.

Just some info on the pantos they previously staged:

www.hesbehindyou.com/

Absolutely. Above the Stag's modus operandi has always been slightly amateurish. Programming seems to happen very late and shows are announced quite last minute, but that's now twice this year - first in March and again now - that they've suddenly announced they're closing, leaving directors, writers and actors high and dry, and saying as much on social media. Nothing about these circumstances suggest that they couldn't have been anticipated. However unfortunate the details, the whole thing smacks of incompetence. If it were me, I'd think very carefully about working there in the future. Even if they do move somewhere else, who's to say it won't happen all over again?

Not surprising as they are a license to print money. They could go to a larger venue without much issue.

Slightly aggressive having tickets on sale a year ahead. I guess they are keen….