Tonight, The London Cabaret Club, patron of The King’s Trust, celebrated London’s next generation of performers with a special gala marking the first cohort of its new three‑year programme, created to help young people facing adversity build pathways into careers in the entertainment industry.
Held at the club’s home, the iconic Bloomsbury Ballroom, the gala saw 14 young performers take to the stage after completing a two‑week professional training programme led by co‑founders Evelina Girling and Doni Fierro, alongside TV star and King’s Trust Ambassador Tasha Ghouri and the club’s award‑winning creative team.
Offering participants a rare opportunity to showcase their talent in front of those shaping the industry, the event was attended by high-profile celebrities and figures from the world of UK entertainment, including Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Hauer, Pineapple Studios Founder Debbie Moore OBE, Call the Midwife’s Helen George, and Waterloo Road’s Tillie Amartey as well as industry figures from The British Council, The Brit School, The Guildhall School and Italia Conti.
For the young performers, the gala represented the culmination of weeks of professional‑level training, confidence‑building and industry‑ready skills. For many, it was their first time performing on a professional stage, within a supportive, high‑visibility environment designed to offer genuine access, connection and opportunity.
One standout participant from the programme will now go on to receive a professional contract in The London Cabaret Club’s forthcoming production La Vita è Dolce, with all participants continuing to receive mentorship, guidance and industry support beyond the programme.
Tasha Ghouri, TV star and King’s Trust Ambassador, said: “It’s been such an honour and full circle moment to be a mentor on this programme with The King’s Trust and The London Cabaret Club. Dance has shaped so much of who I am, and I also know firsthand how tough it can be to break into such a competitive industry. Being part of these young people’s journey over the last two weeks, watching their confidence grow and seeing them embrace new skills, makes me incredibly proud. I can’t wait to see this generation of performers shine”.
Herbie, who took part in the programme with The King’s Trust and The London Cabaret Club says: “The performing arts sector can be hard to break into, particularly if you are from certain backgrounds. Training, development and employment opportunities are often sparse, costly and very competitive. Getting to learn first-hand from industry professionals somewhere as iconic as the London Cabaret Club has been an unforgettable experience. I am grateful to The King’s Trust for making opportunities like this available to young people like me to gain invaluable skills and experience that we otherwise may not have had”.
The programme was launched in response to growing barriers preventing young people from accessing creative careers. New research commissioned by The London Cabaret Club found that 40% of parents have been priced out of sending their children to after‑school clubs, while 64% believe schools focus too heavily on core academic subjects at the expense of creative ones, leaving many young people without access to vital arts training.
Evelina Girling, CEO, Co‑Founder and Creative Producer of The London Cabaret Club, said: “Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, it’s been incredibly special to see this year’s young performers step onto our stage and show what’s possible when the right support is in place. Watching them perform with such confidence has been genuinely moving, and we’d love audiences to come and experience that energy – and for more young people to feel inspired to take part in the programme next year.”
Doni Fierro, Artistic Director & Co‑Founder of The London Cabaret Club, said: “For many of this year’s young performers, this was their first time on a professional stage. In just two weeks, the growth we’ve seen, in confidence as much as performance, has been remarkable. Seeing that transformation unfold on the London Cabaret Club stage has been incredibly special, and we’re so excited to see what comes next for this year’s group, as well as who will be joining us for the programme next year.”
Sharon Gyimah, Head of Delivery at The King’s Trust added: “Access to real‑world experience and confidence‑building opportunities is vital for young people looking to build a future in the creative industries. This gala performance is a powerful example of how partnerships like this can open doors and help young people move closer to careers they’re passionate about”.
The gala marked a key milestone in the three‑year partnership between The London Cabaret Club and The King’s Trust, reinforcing a long‑term commitment to supporting young people as they take their next steps into the entertainment industry.
