“I have some Scottish heritage but I could always do with a wee bit more Scottish in me…”
WHO: Tomáš Kantor
WHAT: “Theatrical, outrageous, silly and sexy, Tomáš Kantor’s award-winning debut is about Sugar – a gender-queer twink who discovers there’s money to be made from transactional relationships (though their primary source of information is Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman). What could go wrong? Australian superstar-in-the-making Tomáš sings everything from Kylie to Gaga to Chappell Roan in this show about luxury, power and being paid to have sex on a grand piano, written by Fringe First Award-winning playwright Ro Bright. ‘Cabaret Veterans might feel as if they’re witnessing a baby Meow Meow or Paul Capsis’ (Age).”
WHERE: Checkpoint at Assembly Checkpoint (Venue 322)
WHEN: 16:12 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Well, I came to Edinburgh (an eternity ago) as a pimply, pubescent, closeted fourteen-year-old (a literal baby) on a family holiday. This year I’m *BAAACK* (lock up your daddies): triumphantly returning as a fully-fledged, radiant-skinned, genderqueer, (aging) twink, sugar-babe chanteuse! So, for all intents and purposes, this is my first time (like a virgin, but in a “back-door-doesn’t-count” kinda way). I couldn’t be more excited to debut in Edinburgh with my no-holds-barred (more like no-HOLES-barred) confessional cabaret. It’s the biggest fringe festival in the world (werkkk), and I’m keen to discover the dazzling diamonds in this year’s line-up, destined to outshine the meagre “crown jewels” I remember from my infantile coquetry (cockadooodledoo). Any Scottish daddies keen to show me the ropes, buy me dinner, lead me down dark alleyways, please slide into my dms (lube up, it’s a tight squeeze). I have some Scottish heritage but I could always do with a wee bit more Scottish in me…
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
2024 was a big year of absorption (rectal), but unfortunately not of lessons.
Tell us about your show.
SUGAR is a slick and sexy, camp and couture, pop-banger and pop-culture infused cabaret joyride with an undercover, wildly overconfident, sugar baby (me…) at the wheel. I go balls to the wall (ouch) to get you the confessional scoop. I like to say I went “full method” (Lady Gaga, Haus of Gucci level delusion) with only Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman” as my guide. The ensuing quest for daddy’s load is anything but smooth sailing (to quote Julia: big mistake, BIG, HUGE). Stacked with iconic gay references and tunes from your faves: Gaga to Chappell Roan, Kylie to Dula Peep, Charli to… Macklemore?!
My team: Kitan Petkovski (director/diva), Ro Bright (Fringe-First winning playwright and producer), Bethany J Fellows (divine design on a dime), Rachel Lewindon (musical-goopery) and Spencer Herd (lighting-gaggery). Longtime collaborators: we’re queer and we’re here to push the boundaries of narrative and form. We were commissioned by Melbourne Fringe (yes, they called us) in 2024 to make some magic and boom, SUGAR was born. She’s since popped her pussy all around Australia, stopping at Adeliade Cabaret Festival, Sydney’s Hayes Theatre Company and Arts Centre Melbourne before arriving preened, plucked and pampered for you in Edinburgh. Next stop…Netflix?
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
So there’s an incredible array of quality Australian work playing at the festival this year that I’d recommend HIGHLY. You want genre-bending drag? Check out Jens Radda in ‘Skank Sinatra’ for a crooning queen with wonderful storytelling powers, or Iva Rosebud amidst the circus of ‘Bernie Deiter’s Club Kabarett’ for raucous campery undercut with gut-wrenching poignancy. For hysterical musical comedy, look no further than Mel and Sam in “Platonic Human Centipede” – these girls are SO FUNNY and they’re back at fringe this year after an incredible debut in 2024. I never got to catch Hayley Edwards’ show “Shitbag” in Australia, but it cleaned up and they’re wonderful, so pop this intimate, confessional theatre moment on your list. I’m also SUPER keen for ‘RED INK’ starring Chiquitita as the late great Cecilia Gentili – looks like camp, trans comedy at its finest!
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