Life's a Cabaret

I Will Survive runner-up Tom Sharah proves that coming second is no hindrance with the launch of his new one-man cabaret showcase, writes Lachlan Bennett.

Coming second is no setback, at least not for I Will Survive runner-up Tom Sharah whose one-man cabaret show premieres this week at Slide.

It’s Raining Me reflects on Sharah’s personal experiences in the world of showbiz and beyond, through a range of soul, pop and rock ‘n’ roll music.

Sharah first got the idea for the cabaret midway through the filming of I Will Survive – Network Ten’s reality television show that took contestants on a ‘drag boot camp’ in search of Australia’s best triple threat.

“[I Will Survive] was teaching me week by week, that what I just wanted to do was get out there, ‘rock out’, sing and tell stories through music,” Sharah tells SX.

Sharah describes the show as a “mixtape” of his life, all about “embracing the crazy and letting the eccentric kid grow into the eccentric adult”.

“It’s very self-deprecating and cheeky,” he says.

From an early age, Sharah felt he was destined to be a performer, taking dancing classes at age 4 and being exposed to musical theatre through his father who was professional performer.

Sharah got his first big break after winning the Sydney Cabaret Showcase in 2009, which led to the premiere and national tour of his debut show Que Sera, Sharah.

Performing has always been a passion for Sharah who has a particular love for music and cabaret.

“I love acting. I love to play a character. But I also love the adrenaline and the thrill and the danger of being one’s self.

“There is nothing to hide behind in cabaret and in individual live performance. It’s just the most exposing performance art form there is."

“It’s just me and a microphone.”

Sharah says a lot of the songs in the show are very close to him, including ‘Mercy’, ‘Here’s Where I Stand’, ‘Let Me Be Your Star’, ‘True Colours’ and ‘Old Time Rock and Roll’.

Sharah plans to tour the show nationally before coming back to Sydney for the Mardi Gras Festival next year.

He is also in the midst of recording an EP of covers, which is due to be completed later this month.

Sharah says that between the EP, preparing for his cabaret show and I Will Survive, he’s barely had a moment to breathe.

“It’s been a real roller coaster ride. I hit the ground running and haven’t really stopped since.

“I’m flat out, but having a ball.”

[Image] ‘Having a ball’ … Tom Sharah. Photo: Supplied

Tom Sharah’s It’s Raining Me is on at Slide (41 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst) on Thursday, November 15 and Friday, November 16 (sold out). Book: www.slide.com.au