A Halloween cabaret, like CRONE-O-PHOBIA, which Atomic Vaudeville is putting on Oct. 24 to Nov. 2 is no small feat: it requires dozens of actors and crew, set building, a high-quality sound system, and rehearsal space where things can get loud. It's this scope that makes the shows spectacular, drawing in crowds of 150-200 each year, but it's also that scope that is making it increasingly challenging in the hauntingly shrinking scope of Victoria's art venues, say organizers.
For 20 years, all 88 episodes of the theatre cabaret, which emphasizes comedic spectacles, outrageous costumes and choreographed musical and dance numbers, have taken place at the Victoria Event Centre, which is now slated to close by Oct. 31. But organizers Britt Small and Kathleen Greenfield said even before the VEC closure, they were already looking to move to a new space and had trouble finding one.
"Rental costs at the VEC were becoming a barrier and we wanted a more accessible space that could fit 150-200 patrons as our shows were selling out fast in the VEC. The closure of the space as an indie arts venue is devastating. There are so few spaces left to produce work," they said in an email with Victoria News.
CRONE-O-PHOBIA is set to take place in the Fellowship Hall in the First Metropolitan Church. The 111-year-old downtown church held its last service in November 2023 after the congregation joined Broad View United Church at a new venue.
But the difficulty of finding a space has left Small and Kathleen Greenfield aware of the shrinking number of options, an issue that Victoria News has covered in the past from the perspective of other theatre organizations.
The Fellowship Hall is also less ideal for other reasons.
"We have to bring in our own lighting and sound systems and build our own stage," they said. "Not to mention having to tear down and set up the venue every night to accommodate pickleball people," they said, referring to the fact that their stage is built out onto the gym floor.
To put on a show of its scope, Atomic Vaudeville needs, at minimum, a backstage area, stage lighting, a decent sound system and room acoustics, and ideally a liquor licence. Audience space for up to 200 "would be great." "We also need to be able to make noise!" they said.
Similarly to theatre groups, the burlesque scene in Victoria is also feeling a hit due to the closure of the Victoria Event Centre.
"It has been my longest home venue," said Rosie Bitts, a longtime burlesque performer, on a VEC Instagram post. "I’ve produced and performed in countless shows at the VEC over the last 18 years. And I have loved experiencing its evolution. It’s heartbreaking to think it will cease to exist."
While the Atomic Vaudeville show is set to go on, and will be enjoyed by "those in search of joy ... lovers, dancers and thinkers" as any other year, Small and Greenfield are moving forward with uncertainty about what next year's cabaret will bring.
"Not having dedicated performance space for our company is a huge issue for our sustainability. We are making it work but it is costly and challenging. The city needs purpose-built performing arts spaces for dance, music and theatre."
More on the show can be found at atomicvaudeville.com/crone-o-phobia.
