This was an excellent evening of cabaret, or performance in any genre. It was a solid way to start the Australian Cabaret Series. Tyran Parke is a talented storyteller with a fine presence.

The warmth of Parke’s singing voice capably delivered a range of songs including very contemporary musical theatre numbers.

All personal tales were honest, realistic, soul-searching and even appealingly self-deprecating at times. In typical cabaret style Parke’s stories continued between an eclectic range of numbers, but were also smoothly woven between verses of songs.

This was pure entertainment. As a cabaret event it was slick and well-structured. It used Parke’s repertoire collected from experiences as an actor, musical theatre enthusiast and star, director and teacher.

Some stand out moments included a mash-up of Westside Story excerpts with spoken soliloquys from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Also, a song from the award-winning musical Next to Normal, which deals with the topic of bipolar disorder, was an expressive and worthwhile inclusion in the song-list. It was followed by a stunningly syncopated version of Windmills of Your Mind.

Tyran Parke’s well-paced cabaret tale hit the mark with its incredible range. Spoken and sung moments of comedy never failed. An audience hungry for more were entertained with an edgy elegiac encore from the point of view of nothing less than a stalker.

This was quality cabaret which was at no time pedestrian or clichéd. Such versatile artists are not to be missed.

Tyran Parke performed his show A LIGHT IN THE DARK for one night only at the Vanguard, 42 King Street, Newtown on Sunday 11th November. The show was the first production to take place as part of the inaugural Australian cabaret series.

© Paul Nolan

14th November, 2012

Tags: Sydney Stage Reviews- A LIGHT IN THE DARK, Tyran Parke, The Vanguard, INAUGURAL AUSTRALIAN CABARET SERIES, Sydney Arts Guide, Paul Nolan