Yana Alana And Tha Paranas
‘One of the best performers I’ve ever witnessed in the flesh’
Theatre People ★★★★★
Queen of queer cabaret and determined to never be a national treasure; Yana Alana was a multi award winning punk, anti-glamour, cabaret artist. Born in Melbourne’s queer and alternative clubs at Drag Kings under the guidance of Bumpy Favell. Yana later became a Helpmann Award winning Australian Cabaret Icon. Alongside her all female band Tha Paranas and Director Anni Davey they received 10 Green Room Awards (Melbournes Premiere Arts Awards).
The alter ego of Sarah Ward, Yana was a self-obsessed, tragic and heroic femme-drag clown, alongside her band Tha Paranas, they offered a celebration of difference in a world obsessed with bland cookie-cutter celebrity.
Shows included Bite Me, In Concert, Tears Before Bedtime, Between The Cracks, Yana Alana Covered and Greatest Tits.
‘Yana Alana is one of the most totalising, larger-than-life stage creations to come out of Melbourne since Edna Everage’
The Age ★★★★1/2
‘It’s a shame we can only give an act like Yana Alana five stars, because she deserves so much more’
The Adelaide Advertiser ★★★★★
Project Video
Tha Paranas were Bec Matthews (Musical Director and Drummer), Ania Reynolds (keys), Frances Evans (Bass), Teebs (Cello and Sax), Rosalind Jones (Trombone), Gemma Hornbury (Trumpet), Michelle Scully (Bass), Tamara Murphy (bass), Louise Goh (keys).
Yana Alana was developed through support, mentorship, dramaturgy and direction by Anni Davey.
Thank you to the following festivals, venues and producers for their ongoing support of this act including Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne Fringe, The Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Fortyfivedownstairs, The City Of Melbourne, Linda Catalano, Ebony Bott, Fiona Winning, Dan Clarke, Neville Sice and David Read.
Thank you to all of our loyal and generous audiences.