'Very Distressing And Completely Unfair': Perth Cabaret Festival To Cease Operations
Vika & Linda Bull, Lior, Deborah Conway, Carlotta, and many others have performed at the festival.
Vika & Linda performing live (Credit: Kate Arnott)
Organisers revealed today that the Perth International Cabaret Festival will cease operations after five years of hosting live music and community events. They described the loss of another Western Australian arts organisation as “very distressing and unfair.”
Per a press release, the event won’t go ahead in 2025, and the PICF will cease operations “effective immediately.” Despite its growing success over the years, PICF is closing shop due to a “critical shortfall in funding.“
In its five years, the PICF showcased over 300 performers across more than 100 shows. For its 2024 event, the festival generated over $4.5 million in “multiplied total economic impact.” Unfortunately, it couldn’t secure “essential recurrent funding” that would be necessary to continue operating day-to-day or long-term.
The Perth International Cabaret Festival was founded by Graham Lovelock and Ali Welburn in 2019. The organisation was born out of a need to bring recognition of cabaret to WA. Since its launch at Her Majesty’s Theatre in 2021, the festival quickly formed strong relationships with artists, partners, and punters.
Performers who have appeared at the festival include Vika & Linda Bull, Lior, Deborah Conway, Carlotta, Meow Meow, the late Rick Steele, Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse, and many others. The event also offered free community events such as open mic nights, artist Q&As, workshops, and more.
PICF Chair John Poulsen described the news as “heartbreaking” and outlined its “truly special” cultural, social, and economic value.
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“This is a heartbreaking outcome for a Festival that consistently delivered cultural, social, and economic value,” Poulsen said. “We created something truly special, and it’s devastating to see it leave a hole in the winter arts and events calendar in Perth—not because of a lack of vision, passion or success, but because foundation financial support could not be secured.”
The statement continued, “Our small but passionate team was on the brink of announcing a world-class 2025 program, including international acts, alongside local and national artists. The cancellation now affects over 50 artists and a wide range of local suppliers and contractors who were counting on the work.
“We were looking forward to Perth International Cabaret Festival being part of the state government’s Creative WA ten-year strategic plan which supports the growth of emerging talent and making WA a place where local creatives stay to work, produce and mentor others and where those who have left are encouraged to come home to a vibrant and thriving sector.
“We are incredibly proud of what PICF stood for—diversity, excellence, and joy. We thank our artists, staff, volunteers, partners, funders, supporters and most importantly, our audiences. This Cabaret Festival belonged to Perth and Western Australia, and it deserved to thrive.”
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
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