Tom Sharah chats VELVET REWIRED!
A glittering spectacle of circus, cabaret and a love-letter to disco, Velvet Rewired is open at the Opera House!
To the hedonistic tunes of perpetual anthems like “Ain’t No Body” (Chaka Khan and Rufus), “It’s Raining Men” (The Weather Girls) and “Born to Be Alive” (Patrick Hernandez), Velvet Rewired pays homage to disco greats and New York’s Studio 54, the infamous club synonymous with a celebration of cultural acceptance, glitter and disco.
Premiering at the 2020 Adelaide Fringe festival to glowing reviews, Velvet Rewired continues the story of a young man on his path to self-discovery as he returns to the club seeking redemption. Led by the fearlessly fabulous Marcia Hines, Craig Reid (La Clique, La Soirée) returns as the incredible “Hula Boy” and Joe Accaria (Once, Dream Lover) as the DJ and mix-master, and Dutch skating duo Pierre and Stef The Skating Willers. Rounding out the cast is performer and TV presenter Tom Sharah (It’s Raining Me, I Will Survive on Channel 10) as “Country Mike.”
Tom’s musical theatre credits include the Australian tours of American Psycho (BB Arts), Shrek (GFO), Muriel’s Wedding (Global Creatures) and Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Michael Cassel Group). He was previously an original cast member in the world premiere of Muriel’s Wedding for Sydney Theatre Company, appearing in the ABC documentary Making Muriel and featuring on the show’s original cast recording. Tom has performed at the Hayes Theatre in Half Time, Only Heaven Knows and The Drowsy Chaperone for which he received a Glugs Award for his performance as Aldolpho. He has also played the title role in Monkey Baa’s Pete the Sheep at Sydney Opera House, toured Europe in Priscilla Queen of the Desert for Norwegian Cruise Lines, and traveled Australia and internationally performing with Boys in the Band.
Can you tell me about your background with performing?
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Tom Sharah | Photo by Maria Boyadgis
Tom: I went to Charles Sturt University in Bathurst where I studied Theatre/Media which was a fantastic course that taught all the basic fundamentals of theatre making and how to build a show from the ground up. I found myself always leaning towards the performing side of things rather than tech/crew roles, and I certainly learned a lot, but I wouldn’t consider it formal acting training. To be honest, my real training has been on the job. I won the Australian Cabaret Showcase in 2009 which was my big break and I lived in that world for a number of years – writing, performing and touring my own shows. It was an incredible apprenticeship in terms of stamina and holding an audience. There’s nothing to hide behind in cabaret, it’s totally exposing. I didn’t foray into musical theatre until much later on but now I’ve been very lucky to work pretty consistently, and with some truly amazing actors and creative teams. I try to soak up as much as I can from everyone I work with, and I love that I’m constantly learning and growing.
What has been the most challenging part of working on Velvet Rewired?
Tom: This is by far the biggest role I’ve ever played, and certainly the most vocally challenging. I’m having to be super disciplined to get through it 8 times a week. My day revolves around the show but that’s just the sacrifice you make. Velvet Rewired is fast and furious, and you need to give absolutely everything every night otherwise it just doesn’t work. Once the lights go down and the show starts, you get on a speed train and you don’t take a breath until we bow 75 minutes later.
And the most exciting?
Tom: We can feel our audiences going on the journey with us every night and it almost always ends with a euphoric response from them. This timeless 70’s disco music is a universal language and people just love it so much. Then you add the circus elements and choreography and design (not to mention the incomparable Marcia Hines). It’s thrilling to be a part of, and really gratifying to feel like we’re giving audiences an awesome night at the theatre.
Can you tell me a bit about Country Mike?
Tom: In the original incarnation of Velvet, Country Mike was a nervous unsure young boy experiencing this world and meeting these people for the first time. He found his true authentic self at the club. Velvet Rewired is set some years later and things have changed. He’s grown up and experienced love and now heartbreak. He is a broken man returning to a place that once brought him so much joy hoping he will find it there again.
How is he different to past roles you’ve played?
Tom: I’ve never played the protagonist before and Velvet Rewired is really Country Mike’s story. Even though there is no dialogue and the show is sung through, he goes on a real emotional journey. It’s been quite challenging to let myself go to such a vulnerable place on stage, but it’s felt incredibly empowering to bring so much of myself to the role. Our amazing director Craig Ilott has encouraged that from all of us. This is our version of the show and every person on stage is an integral part of the jigsaw puzzle.
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Marcia Hines and Tom Sharah
Do you have a favourite number from the show?
Tom: I have a few. But I will say that singing the duet No More Tears (Enough is Enough) with Marcia is a surreal moment for me every night. To be standing and singing opposite someone who I have looked up to and admired for so many years is pretty wild. She is a total class act and we are so lucky to have her leading this company. Our musical director Joe Accaria has also put together a stunning new arrangement of Boogie Wonderland which I get to sing and I love doing that every night.
Why should audiences come and see Velvet Rewired?
Tom: It is a guaranteed brilliant night out. The singing, dancing, circus, lighting and costumes… all under the glittery umbrella of that timeless music… it’s sensory overload and it will leave you breathless and screaming for more. I promise!
Velvet Rewired is playing at the Sydney Opera house until February 12th.
For tickets and more information, visit the Sydney Opera House website.
