“I pray that our young get to see this sort of calibre of construction, performance and heart often enough so that our audiences of tomorrow may be secure.” Broadway at Bedtime
Tyran has established himself as a much loved writer, director and performer in the cabaret scene in Australia and internationally. He completed the prestigious cabaret course at Yale University. Auditions were held worldwide with only a handful chosen to study under such cabaret greats as Amanda McBroom, Sally Mayes and Julie Wilson. Tyran used the experience to workshop the show, ‘Chinks in the Armour’, (later renamed ‘A Little Knight Music’) which achieved great acclaim in Sydney, Newcastle, Perth and Paramatta and continues to tour. It opened in New York at Don’t Tell Mamma’s to great acclaim. (see Reviews)
Tyran’s solo show, “A Light in the Dark” was commissioned by the Sydney Music theatre Festival in 2012 and subsequently played sell out seasons at The Vanguard Sydney, Auckland and for the Noosa Cabaret Festival. Tyran won the Glug award for best cabaret performer for the show. In 2014 the show played New York.
in 2014 The Art Gallery of NSW commissioned Tyran to write a new show especially for them called “Children and Art”. The show received rave reviews…
“Tyran Parke never fails to astound and delight in live performance. His new one man show Children and Art, which debuted at the Art Gallery of NSW on Friday is no exception. A masterful creation of subtle skill and emotional depth, this cabaret has to be one of the most emotionally honest and shattering to be seen on a Sydney stage in years…Parke’s skill as a storyteller is truly second to none. As he guided his audience through dark tales of his mothers sudden passing from a severe asthmatic episode and how each of his two brothers learned to cope in the aftermath, he created moments of stunning emotional clarity, joy, humour and pain. By the end of his rendition of the Don McClean standard ‘Vincent’, there was not a dry eye in the house, while his anthemic comic tour de force ‘Choose Happy’ continues to delight.
At a young age, Parke is a veteran of the music theatre and the cabaret stage who continues to go from strength to strength. Children and Art is once again a mightily challenging but brilliantly executed display of his capacity to write, to direct and to perform. It is with talent such as this that the independent music theatre scene in Oz has rebuilt itself in recent years and it is with endless fascination that we are permitted the joyful experience of watching them prosper and grow. At this stage Parke remains an absolute must see solo performer. Capable of writing a biographical one man show with genuine pathos, wit and power, he goes far, far beyond the oft delivered musical theatre performer singing his hits. It can only be hoped that other audiences around Australia will be able to see Children and Art and soon. But then with Parke a clamoured for favourite on stages in New Zealand, Australia and in New York, he’s no doubt got many a project ahead in 2014. Needless to say, if you see his name on a bill, grab a ticket. Oh and take your tissues.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be transported – and isn’t that what cabaret is meant to be all about?” Aussietheatre.com
Tyran was a regular artist on Bert Newton’s television program, ‘Good Morning Australia’ and at ‘Star City’ in Sydney. He also starred in ‘Listen to My Heart’ in 2007 at the Statement Cabaret Lounge. He regularly performs at the Sydney Theatre Company All Star Cabaret.
Tyran’s experience in cabaret doesn’t stop with performing. In May 2005, (having previous been cabaret director at the Side-on Café) he joined forces with Alistair Thomson and Amanda Buckworth who collaborated on the very successful ‘Raise the Roof’ concert for the UNICEF Boxing Day tsunami appeal. Together they formed TAA Cabaret that was housed in the old State Theatre Ballroom, the Statement Bar/lounge, presenting weekly cabaret of the highest quality. This subterranean lounge was open for cabaret every Saturday night under the banner of Statement Cabaret and proved phenomenally successful, presenting such artists as; Kaye Tuckerman, Lisa Schoew, Queenie van de Zandt, Phil Scott, Avigail Herman, Melissa Langton, Trevor Ashley, Jane Badler, Natalie Gamsu, Joanna Weinberg, Chloe Dallimore, Katrina Retallick, Margi De Ferranti, Hayden Tee, Josh Quong Tart, Genevieve Lemon, Aunty Mavis, Saskia Smith, Belinda Wollaston, Amanda Harrison, Stuart Maunder, Jennifer Peers, Brendan Irving, Darren Mapes, Lisa Adam and the graduates from WAAPA. All of the shows were acclaimed with several going on to further seasons at such venues as The Opera House and The Ensemble Theatre.
Statement Cabaret was established to revitalise a dwindling industry and a struggling art form. Through regular presentations of the best cabaret Australia has to offer, ‘Statement’ contributed greatly to the local arts scene and brought a new audience to an ever-exciting performance style. ‘Statement’ firmly established itself as Sydney’s premiere venue for classy, contemporary and cutting edge cabaret. This achievement was recognized in winning funding from the City of Sydney Council.
As well as producing the weekly nights, Tyran programmed the season, hosted the shows and worked as creative director for TAA. “TAA – Up, up and away with Cabaret”
‘Statement Cabaret’ closed early 2008 at the height of its success due to the ongoing time commitments with other TAA projects. TAA feels very proud of its record in delivering the most exciting and varied performance styles from the best of our established stars and emerging talent during its time at Statement.
Tyran frequently runs courses in Cabaret construction and performance through NIDA.
Tyran has appeared in the following cabaret shows:
The Show, ‘Chinks in the Armour’ opened at Statement Cabaret and after a successful season was revised and renamed, ‘A Little Knight Music’, playing, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Newcastle and New York’s, Don’t Tell Mama’s.
“There have been scant few cabaret debuts as good as this one; commandingly sung and alternately interesting, funny and touching”. Peter Leavy, Cabaret Scenes New York.
With Lena Cruz, Tyran developed a new cabaret named ‘The Singer’s Guide to the Universe’ which was a huge success in it’s initial run at The Stables Theatre, Sydney – and toured nationally to great reviews. The show was originally produced by Launchpad, directed by Brett Wood and musically directed by Michael Tyack.
Tyran performed in Cabaret at ‘Capers’, Melbourne in his show, ‘Since You Stayed Here’ which he wrote and directed with Stephen Amos. So successful was that show that he was invited back for a full season the following year.
In 2010, Tyran directed Kate Walder in her show, ‘Coffee With Kate’, which transformed Walder’s popular theatre blog into a successful cabaret for The Sydney Fringe Festival. He remounted the production in May 2010 at Slide.
“The short but sharp show showed off Walder’s comedic wit, excellent timing and superb vocal skills. And spare a thought for producer/director Tyran Parke. He was skipping between duties with Walder’s show and appearing in the musical In A Pink Tutu next door.” Aussie Theatre.com
Tyran’s most recent show, ‘A Light in The Dark’, began life in the Sydney Musical Theatre/Cabaret Festival in August 2012 and tours 2013.
“Parke’s voice is faultless…it felt almost as if you were sitting in Parke’s living room on a normal Sunday night, glass of wine in hand. The actor, director and performer presented a candid glimpse into his life where he openly discussed his triumphs as well as his shortcomings with such vulnerability and honesty it was easy to be overwhelmed by it.” The AU Review
“Tyran Parke is one of Australia’s best voices: tonally rich with a clear and emotive timbre, this actor/director/performer has that wonderful gift of communicating story through song. It’s this strength that makes his cabaret, A Light in the Dark, a resounding success…Tyran’s emotional connection to this music theatre world informs his performance with a real sense of honesty. That right there is the appeal of A Light in the Dark, and indeed, a large part of Tyran’s onstage appeal in general: the truth in his performances; his ability to connect with the material…This was one-night only, presented as part of the Australian Cabaret Series, but next time you have a chance to see Tyran Parke perform, don’t miss it. Take it up. His appearances are moments in time that deserve to be savoured.” Aussie theatre.com
“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…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…Tyran Parke’s well-paced cabaret tale hit the mark with its incredible range. Spoken and sung moments of comedy never failed…This was quality cabaret which was at no time pedestrian or clichéd. Such versatile artists are not to be missed.” Sydney Arts Guide.
Tyran appeared alongside Marika Aubrey and Kathleen Moore in a new show, ‘Keep Coming Back’ in Newcastle in April 2012 to great acclaim;
“It shows how busy the show business careers of Tyran Parke, Marika Aubrey and Kathleen Moore are that it has taken two years for the Novocastrian trio to find mutually suitable dates for this richly entertaining show…They deliver stunning performances of songs that have had a place in their work and lives, linked by amusing patter… There is rewarding variety in the songs. Tyran Parke, for example, sings a moving Where Did That Little Dog Go, from the musical Snoopy… There are duets that have the audience wanting more and medleys, which show how fresh familiar songs can be when delivered by very skilled performers. I left the theatre thinking how great it would be to see the trio in a fully-fledged musical. Hopefully, a canny producer will read this!” The Newcastle Herald
Tyran returned ‘Children and Art’ to Sydney at the Hayes Theatre Cabaret Season to great acclaim (see reviews).
He then directed Rob Mills in his debut show, ‘Rob Mills is Surprisingly Good’ which recieved acclaim across Australia and was nominate for Best Cabaret at both the Sydney Theatre Critics and Glugg awards.