Teetering on the brink of cult-status, while on the verge of a nervous breakdown, Yana Alana And Tha Paranas create a cabaret experience that blends political poetry, divine singing, kooky dancing, party tricks… and the odd tantrum.

Yana Alana is a talented yet jilted performer out to conquer the world with a unique blend of cabaret and comedy. Featuring a post-modern feministic clout that is both fierce and fragile, Yana Alana And Tha Paranas is a sensational cabaret experience.

Their recent show In Concert is a hilarious and moving, queer, cabaret extravaganza and  recently received an incredible 6 Greenroom Awards in the cabaret category including Best Production, Cabaret Artiste, Ensemble, Original Music and Musical Direction 2010.

‘ She channels the great operatic divas, the church singing jazz mamas and the dominatrix bitch goddesses. You will be entranced. The resounding standing ovation from the entire audience in attendance is a testament to the sheer brilliance of the show. It was the collective acknowledgement that we had all witnessed something truly extraordinary.’ Same Same.com

Their  show Bite Me is an exciting, raw, brave and innovative cabaret with sensational songs and political poetry from Yana’s famous poetry book If you were a carrot, I would have cum by now. The show received two Greenroom Awards  for Best Cabaret Artiste 2008 and Best Director 2007 as well as Best Cabaret at The Melbourne Fringe Festival 2007.

‘There is one thing that is absolutely clear about Yana Alana and the Paranas and that is that this is excellent cabaret in every sense. From the talent, the music, the team spirit and of course the relentlessly funny content Yana Alana and the Paranas is a hit.’ Artshub

Yana Alana And Tha Paranas In Concert with special guests Tha Iguanas.

After telling Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Copenhagen audiences, in no uncertain terms, to ‘Bite Me’, Yana Alana returned with a five piece band to present a sellout season of Yana Alana and Tha Paranas In Concert at the Midsumma Festival and to elated audiences at the Melbourne Cabaret Festival 2010.

The irreverent, irrational, self-declared Diva put down her famous poetry book to unleash the singing, dancing (and occasional tantrum-throwing) showgirl within.

The sell-out audiences and Critics alike loved it!

“Yana Alana And The Paranas In Concert with special guests the Iguanas is exquisitely beautiful and sophisticated; from the sets to the ambience, costume to vocals, performance to content and ensemble, every element is beautifully considered.” Read the SameSame.com.au review

“DON’T I look smokin’?” Yana Alana (Sarah Ward) is holding the audience spellbound as she indulges in a bout of preening between belting out numbers.” Read The Age review

Yana Alana vs. comedian Hannah Gadsby

Hannah: What is your favourite Arnott’s Family Assorted Cream biscuit?
Yana: Monte Carlo. I like those pink bits.

Hannah: How do you prepare yourself for a performance?
Yana: I say out loud, ‘I’m fabulous, I’m brilliant, I’m the best, there is no other, there can be no other, there will never be another.’ Then I have some chocolate and weep inconsolably about my lost childhood.

Hannah: If you don’t perform regularly do you get needy?
Yana: How dare you insinuate that when people applaud wildly I glimpse just briefly what love must feel like. The answer to the question is NO!

Hannah: What do you miss most about your childhood?
Yana: Nothing, my childhood was fraught with pain.

Hannah: Do you find anger a guilty pleasure?
Yana: I don’t find anger, anger finds me.

Hannah: Do you have any scars?
Yana: Is a belly button a scar?

Read the full interview and find out Yana’s favourite word, essential body part and more….