MELBOURNE PRIDE GUIDE: SUGAR
Image: Source: Supplied by Midsumma.
Picture yourself inside the classic 90鈥檚 rom-com, 鈥楶retty Woman鈥�. Now make it queer, dip it in a dazzling, bubblegum gloss, then add electric renditions of pop bangers from icons like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Lady Gaga. Welcome to the glittering world of SUGAR.
Written by Ro Bright and directed by award-winning Kitan Petkovski, 鈥楽UGAR鈥� was compiled from the pulsing beat of RAYE, cass枚 and D-Block Europe鈥檚 2023 hit 鈥楶rada鈥�.
The idea was sparked by the simple question, 鈥榳hy can鈥檛 the 17c起草社区IA+ community 鈥� particularly gender diverse, non-binary and trans actors and performers 鈥� be the lead in the next mainstream rom-com?鈥� Petkovski explained to 17c起草社区.
At the heart of the show is the one-act role of SUGAR, a radiant and overconfident genderfluid twink 鈥� portrayed by Melbourne born star Tom谩拧 Kantor 鈥� who discovers there鈥檚 real money to be made from 鈥榯ransactional relationships鈥�. The show explores what it feels like to experience luxury for the first time and navigating the heady world of being a sugar baby. 鈥淚鈥檓 ecstatic to be returning to Melbourne with this salacious sizzling sexy snack of a show,鈥� said Kantor.
鈥楽UGAR鈥� is truly a testimonial salute to the influence of today鈥檚 pop culture scene. Petkovski explains how the real take away from this cabaret is how pop anthems and cultural moments contribute as a storytelling device.
鈥淭he pop songs really give us an insight into SUGAR and the characters鈥� experience鈥� because they are telling the story.鈥�
Wrapped in a pop-up chocolate box of a set with its glamorous visuals, 鈥楽UGAR鈥� is more than a critically acclaimed pink fantasy. It is both a fierce encouragement to make space for queer artists to take on heteronormative roles, and a call for people to rethink classic narratives by pushing the invisible barriers minorities often experience in show business. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 about time that trans and nonbinary performers are in these leading roles and that鈥檚 what we鈥檙e trying to do with 鈥楽UGAR鈥�, and that鈥檚 what we want the audience to recognise,鈥� Petkovski says.
So . Because 鈥楽UGAR鈥� is ready to serve you a slick, sultry and mouth-watering joyride when it returns from international waters to The Show Room at the Arts Centre Melbourne.
鈥淗oney, I鈥檓 delivering the goods to satisfy your sugar cravings. So get ready to EAT, Melbourne 鈥� I guarantee no leftover crumbs,鈥� promises Kantor.
SUGAR
18鈥�25 January 2026
Arts Centre Melbourne – The Showroom
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