08/04/2026
As some of you will be aware, at last month's Cabaret Saltaire we announced the winding down of the show. This is largely due to some key members of the team needing to retire, and we've always said it would be impossible to carry on the show if even one member of our team were to drop out, for whatever reason.
We've produced nearly fifty shows of talented (and untalented) silliness over fifteen glorious years, thanks to everyone involved, from our hardworking, and often invisible and shamefully uncredited team of volunteers, right through to the management of the Caroline Club who've been nothing but kind, generous and accommodating throughout. And of course thanks must go to you, our audience. Without your warm enthusiam, support and tolerance we would never have had a show to put on. You can be proud in the fact that with the Meat Raffle you've contributed over the years to raising an estimated £15,000 for local mental health organisations.
However, this is not the end of our creative team! Some of us are heading for pastures new with a brand new venture in a new venue over that hill in Otley. Our aim is to branch out, creating variety events with comedy and music, and a brand new cabaret in the pipeline. And of course we'd be extremely happy to welcome our old members to this new venture.
Our first event is called Otley Varieties and will be staged in the former Otley Methodist Church, under a new collective management at the Otley Common. This is the new name of the former Methodist Church on Walkergate in the centre of Otley.
We will be staging this first event on Friday the 15th of May. Acts will include some familiar faces such as Serious Sam Barrett, Waiting For Wednesday, Stephen Cookson and our headlining act, the funny man Miles Jupp (Have I Got News For You, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Would I Lie to You?).
There will also be some surprise guests.
Tickets are on sale now at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/otleycommon/2138516
In the meantime we'll also be preparing our final Cabaret Saltaire for the 19th of June, which promises to be a night to remember. We'll be back in touch once it's all finalised.
Thank you again for being so supportive over the years and for being the best audience a performer could ever wish for.
Yours with fondness,
Steve Huison
