Showing at Arts Centre Melbourne for 2026 Midsumma Festival, Sugar performed by Tomáš Kantor is a riotous cocktail of camp glamour, irresistible pop, and larger-than-life storytelling.
Brought to life through Kitan Petkovski’s precise, astute direction, with acerbic, razor-sharp writing by Ro Bright, this dazzling cabaret follows the mischievous exploits of Sugar. A gorgeous, gender-fluid twink, Sugar is exploring the mysterious, intoxicating world of sugar-daddy relationships with an enigmatic, charming man named Richard.
Through its brisk 70-minute running time, the show reimagines familiar tropes from Julia Roberts’ Pretty Woman and takes us on a relentless journey. Along the way, it examines the messy realities of chasing after a fairytale ending and the complex power dynamics involved when intimacy, money, secrecy, and queer identity collide.
As the show’s titular protagonist, Tomáš Kantor is utterly magnetic. Their undeniable charisma stuns and shimmers at the centre of the calamity. Kantor effortlessly moves between heartfelt monologues, rapid costume changes, and well-known pop belters.
Kantor commands the stage with heartfelt vulnerability. They frolic across the cotton-candy-meets-rainbows set by visual designer Bethany J Fellows with purpose, swapping between musical instruments flawlessly. Kantor fearlessly breaks the fourth wall when interacting with the audience. They play off Spencer Herd’s dynamic lighting design to further immerse us in their colourful, chaotic universe.
And then, there’s the music. Sugar’s vivid fantasies and inner turmoil manifest through a curation of pop anthems from beloved queer icons.
From the manic pace of Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra to the anxious beats of classic Sugababes track Overload. From Dua Lipa’s flirty Levitating to Kylie Minogue’s glittery, earnest On A Night Like This, complete with a glimmering disco ball. Every tune works brilliantly as an effective storytelling device.
A poignant, devastating rendition of Lorde’s Liability successfully delivers the standout moment of the evening. As the liaison between Sugar and Richard inevitably deteriorates, building up to a potential spectacle, the story culminates with surprising softness.
Standing tall in the face of disappointment, our protagonist offers a defiant kind of forgiveness, ultimately choosing self-preservation and refusing to let heartbreak dim their sparkle.
After a successful national tour and a victorious international debut, Sugar feels confidently at ease back on home turf. Kantor’s luminescent performance proves they are destined for superstardom, under the bright lights of global stages.
Outrageously silly, sexy, and unapologetic in celebrating queer joy and resilience, Sugar is unexpectedly tender in its candid exploration of trans identity, self-discovery, and the hidden emotional costs of transactional intimacy.
Whether you’ll rock up to enjoy the infectious pop soundtrack, bask in the glittery excess, or witness its powerful social commentary, you’ll leave emotionally moved and thoroughly entertained. Funny, fierce, unforgettable, Sugar is a definite highlight of the 2026 Midsumma Festival.
Sugar by Tomáš Kantor runs until 25 January as part of 2026 Midsumma Festival. The Show Room, Arts Centre Melbourne.
Tickets: https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2026/theatre/sugar
Website: https://www.midsumma.org.au/whats-on/events/sugar/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/tomkantor and https://www.instagram.com/midsummafestival/
Photo credits: Mark Gambino
Duration: 70 minutes
Age Recommendation: 18+
Warnings: Strong coarse language, both sudden and sustained loud noises, some infrequent audience interaction, Queerphobia or homophobia, sexual references, alcohol and drug references.
