Performers slam event producer over claims he failed to pay them nearly $200,000

Australian artists have hit out at an events producer after claims he failed to pay them almost $200,000.

Producer Bass Fam, who has organized events at venues including the Sydney Opera House and the Adelaide Fringe Festival, owes at least $182,000 to artists and a lighting design company. News Corp reported.

However, the publication also claims that sources say much more money was owed by Mr. Fam’s company Bass Fam Creative.

Artists from the shows Matador, Mansion, Memories and Oracle have been chasing money they claim is owed to them for more than two years, with the publication reporting that artist agencies had raised concerns about non-payment by 2022.

The Oracle show, for example, was described as ‘an intoxicating spectacle [of] the 12 zodiac myths, thematically explored through live singing, world-class circus acts, mesmerizing aerial views and steamy burlesque numbers’.

The show had sold-out seasons in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, as well as a debut season in Sydney at the Sydney Opera House in 2022.

Artists claimed that despite being offered a payment plan, no money had been received for months.

An email to a cast member claimed that once the company could establish “consistent cash flow,” a manageable payment plan would be put in place.

The email stated that it would be “more feasible to set up a payment plan that I could stick to, which would consist of regular small payments, with lump sum injections from any additional large jobs/events.”

Australian burlesque performer Bettie Bombshell, who was in the cast of Oracle, claims she is owed $7,000 in addition to pension.

She told News Corp that the issue had been going on for two years and told the publication that she was tempted to take a large gold martini prop glass as payment before she changed her mind.

“When I thought about it and some very important events happened in my personal life, I realized I couldn’t pay my rent and bills with a prop,” she said.

‘So I messaged him to say that wouldn’t work anymore, and that I was in financial trouble. He still hasn’t paid me. He contractually agreed to pay me $7,000. The prop was worth about $3,000.”

Another performer, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that payments were coming in late, which the cast and crew were initially sympathetic to.

Australian burlesque performer Bettie Bombshell, who was in the cast of Oracle, claims she is owed $7,000 and a pension after initially agreeing to accept a large martini glass as payment.

However, the artist claimed that Mr Fam had gone to Europe to explore options for events with outstanding funds.

Celebrating News Corp’s European trip, Mr Fam claimed he had meetings in London about organizing the show Matador, which fell through.

“Everything almost went ahead, I have no reason to lie, are you kidding me?” he said.

“I have been doubted, mocked and ridiculed for trying to do things far beyond what other people were even trying.”

Mr Fam added that he had been told to liquidate the company, something he ‘couldn’t’ do because no one would get paid.

‘We own nothing. There are no assets in the name of the company and if I do that, no one gets paid,” said Mr Fam.

‘I am only liable for everyone’s super and the two bank loans I took out as I signed as director.

“No one’s bills get paid when I liquidate, it gets thrown away and that will be a heartbreaking end to the bloody struggle I’ve been through.”

The publication also claimed that a Victorian lighting company, which had worked with the company for ‘years’, was owed $157,000.

Mr Fam acknowledged he was owed the money, but claimed there were ‘discrepancies in the invoices’ which, once resolved in mid-2023, could not be paid because there was ‘no money’.

The outspoken Mr Fam added that the situation and his company’s dwindling cash flow had caused a ‘total mental and emotional breakdown’.

He added that he is now in a much better place and has paid back more than $47,000 in bills.

He also claimed that the artists would receive a lump sum payment by Christmas.

Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Bass Fam for comment.