A Quick Chat With Tom Sharah
We catch up with Tom Sharah, music theatre performer who is appearing in Nick and Nora for Neglected Musicals and will perform his cabaret showQue Sera, Sharah at El Rocco Room (formerly Bar Me) in September.
1. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A bit of a cliché, but all I was really interested in was performing. Those that know me now are not surprised when I tell them that I was quite an eccentric child – a bit over the top and always happy when I was the centre of attention.
2. Who is the most important person in the world to you?
I am lucky to have a very strong network of family and friends. My parents, in particular, would move mountains to make my brother and I happy.
3. What animal best represents you and why?
In an ideal world, I would love to be a unicorn. A magical, mystical creature with a horn … ummm, yes please. But, realistically, what represents me best? Maybe a cockatoo – apparently they hate early mornings. But once they’re awake, they never the shut their mouths.
4. If you were a contestant on Deal or No Deal, how much would you need to be on offer before you walked away?
I’d like to be the smart and responsible person who goes in with the attitude ‘I came with nothing, so walking away with anything is a plus’. But, in all honesty, greed would probably get the better of me. I’d settle for $10,000 and up. Preferably up.
5. What’s the worst date you’ve ever had?
I have luckily managed to escape the world of bad dating so far. I’m sure the worst is yet to come.
6. Windows or MAC?
MAC – born and bred.
7. Which Spice Girl was your favourite?
The Spice Girls made my world go around as a kid. To this day, they have been my greatest musical obsession. I actually do a tribute to them in my show … a smart medley. So while I loved them all, Ginger was my main woman. I mean, that Union Jack number? FIERCE.
8. Who is the actor you would be most like to work alongside?
There are too many Australian theatre performers to mention. The wealth of talent here is amazing.
9. What five songs would be the first you put on a mix tape?
An almost impossible question. Five that spring to mind –
Jefferson Airplane – ‘Stop Children, What’s That Sound?’
Erykah Badu – ‘Certainly’
Adele – ‘One & Only’
Michael Jackson – ‘PYT (Pretty Young Thing)’
Lauryn Hill – ‘Doo Wop’
10. What is the best thing about theatre in Australia?
The quality. In the past couple of years, I have seen some of the best productions and performances I have in my life. Musical theatre, in particular, is thriving at the moment.
11. What is the worst thing about theatre in Australia?
That there is not enough of it to go round. Lots of incredibly talented and hard-working performers are out of work.
12. Favourite food?
Cheese. I am a fiend for it.
13. What would you do if you found a wallet on the ground?
Have a quick flick through, then hand it in. Losing your wallet is a nightmare. I’d fear the karmic repercussions if I did anything else.
14. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Working as a ‘sportsboy’ at Sportsgirl during my uni summer holidays was not exactly a highlight. The company thought that adding boys to the staff would make for a cooler, more laid back and modern vibe. It turned out the customers just thought I was a sex offender waiting in the fitting rooms to pounce. Awk.
15. What’s the first website you visit when you come online?
Facebook. Unsurprising I’m sure.
16. Name one moment when you looked around, breathed happily and felt content.
After the opening night gala for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. I had belted out a number to 2,000 people and shared a stage with the likes of iOTA, Caroline O’Connor, Todd McKenney, David Campbell, Donna McKechnie and one of my personal idols, Natalie Cole. Standing in the wings with those artists, getting ready to do the big encore was a surreal experience to say the least.
17. Red or white?
Wine? Red. Teeth? White. There’s nothing as seedy as red wine teeth.
18. Where is the most interesting place you have travelled?
I worked with a community theatre company in Chiang Dao, Thailand and that was like living in a parallel universe. Completely different to the lifestyle I was used to, but such a rewarding and eye-opening experience.
19. Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
My dad was an actor and theatre performer for years, and he did a musical with Hugh Jackman about 15 years ago. So I met him then. But I was a child. And he wasn’t famous. Maybe that doesn’t count?
20. Where do you see yourself in five years?
The million dollar question! I honestly couldn’t tell you at this point. I hope that I am happy and healthy. And preferably not living on the street. I’m sure I will still be singing. And if I am lucky enough to be doing it in front of an audience, that would be the icing on the cake.
+ 1 Question from Marney McQueen, the last person to answer AussieTheatre.com’s 20 questions:
What’s your porn star name?
Mike Hunt 🙂
