Theatrical, outrageous, silly and sexy cabaret SUGAR will return to Melbourne for the Midsumma Festival from 13 – 25 January 2026 at Arts Centre Melbourne’s The Show Room.
In a one-person powerhouse performance, multidisciplinary artist Tomáš Kantor stars as Sugar, a radiantly beautiful gender-fluid twink who makes the transformative discovery that there’s money to be made from ‘transactional relationships’. Although this revelation is predominately built on watching Julia Roberts in the fictional romantic comedy Pretty Woman.
Written by Ro Bright and directed by Kitan Petkovski, SUGAR features Kantor’s electric renditions of iconic pop songs by international superstars including Lady Gaga, Chappell Roan, Lorde, Sugababes and Kylie Minogue.
Originally from Melbourne, Kantor made their professional debut in the Australian stage sensation FANGIRLS and has subsequently starred in productions from many of Australia’s leading cultural institutions including Opera Australia, Bell Shakespeare and Melbourne Theatre Company.
“I’m ecstatic to be returning to Melbourne with this salacious sizzling sexy snack of a show. We absolutely WERKED Edinburgh Fringe out, and I’m prepped, plucked and preened for my no holds barred homecoming special,” said Kantor.
“Are you hungry for an hourlong slick camp pop musical joyride with an undercover overconfident sugar baby at the wheel? Honey, I’m delivering the goods to satisfy your sugar cravings. So get ready to EAT Melbourne – I guarantee no leftover crumbs xo.”
SUGAR premiered in 2024 at Melbourne Fringe Festival to glowing reviews and numerous award nominations. The production has since toured across Australia including stops in Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane, and made its international debut at Edinburgh Fringe earlier this year.
Director: Kitan Petkovski | Starring: Tomáš Kantor | Visual Design: Bethany J Fellows | Lighting Designer: Spencer Herd | Musical Director & Arranger: Rachel Lewindon | Writer: Ro Bright
SUGAR will play in The Show Room – Arts Centre Melbourne as part of Midsumma Festival from 13 – 25 January 2026. For more information, visit: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au for details.
Image: Tomáš Kantor stars in SUGAR – photo by Meagan Harding