Young, hot and strapped for cash, Sugar is looking for love in all the wrong places. Skillfully performed and multi-layered, this is confessional cabaret at its very sweetest.
Bursting with youthful exuberance and a knowing smile, Tomáš Kantor takes to the stage full of attitude and sassy vocals. A self-confessed “genderqueer twink”, living their best Pretty Woman fantasy, Kantor’s alter-ego, Sugar, discovers that there is money to be made in transactional relationships, and shares their story of self-discovery while bringing the house down boots.
Tomáš Kantor is a quadruple threat. Not only can they act, sing and dance, but Tom is also a multi-instrumentalist, who utilises all of their considerable talents to entice the audience into Sugar’s world. Their “daddy” figure—who is only referred to as Richard—is variously represented by a sex doll, a cello, and in a duet where Kantor sings both roles. It seems like it is all fun and games until someone (metaphorically) loses an eye.
This is somewhat of a cautionary tale. For Sugar, sex work seems like a way to make money while getting to be themselves, but the reality is more knotty and less glamorous. Written by Ro Bright, and directed by Kitan Petkovski, excellent use is made of both the small cabaret playing area and Kantor’s many talents. The sound balance sometimes needs attention, and either needs to sit further below the vocal or the diction needs improvement. That said, the energy and drive of the piece more than make up for any minor issues.
The overall message is one of living authentically, and not being afraid to be yourself. Kantor takes a few moments near the end to acknowledge those who are actually doing sex work, and the impact of changing government policies on their safety, including a shout out to the local campaign “Scotland For Decrim“.
Sugar is a well-paced piece of cabaret theatre, which both showcases Kantor and uses humour to address serious issues. The songs are well interwoven with the broader story, and expertly performed, leaving the audience with a real Sugar-rush.
By Deborah Klayman
Sugar plays at Assembly Checkpoint, Edinburgh until August 24th 2025.
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