Sugar-Edinburgh Fringe 2025-Part of July Challenge.

Tomáš Kantor’s award-winning debut play called Sugar – “a gender-queer twink who discovers there’s money to be made from transactional relationships” discusses the play ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe starting on July 31st.

Is this your first time at Edinburgh Fringe?

Yep, it’s my first time as a performer. I visited the festival with my family when I was an innocent, fourteen-year-old, pubescent, pimply, closeted gay boy obsessed with Miley Cyrus (a literal itty-bitty baby). I’m back now as an undercover overconfident genderqueer-twink sugar baby in my no-holds-barred (or should I say no HOLES barred) acclaimed confessional cabaret. So yes still a babe, but not that innocent! #freebritney

How long have you been preparing your show for Edinburgh?

I went full method – Gaga, Haus of Gucci – for this salacious scoop. We hatched the show with a sold out debut season at Melbourne Fringe in 2024, and honey, the girls, gays and theys were gooped and gagged! We’re taking my freshly plucked, preened and pampered puss on an Australian tour, hitting Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Sydney’s Hayes Theatre Winter Cabaret Season, before a return season at Melbourne’s prestigious Arts Centre. So I’ll be coming out the gate swinging Edinburgh – this sizzling snack of a show is seriously in my bones, and I’ve got a boner just thinking about sharing it with you.

What is your motivation to perform there?

I mean, it’s the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the biggest and best out there! I’m just ecstatic for the opportunity to train my craft on the same stage as our great cabaret exports, to immerse myself in incredible international art, to create global creative networks and expose myself (yes) to new audiences, and to showcase new genre-bending queer Australian theatre at the largest fringe festival in the world.

What have you done to prepare for the Edinburgh Fringe, emotionally and physically?

I’m trying to do all those things you’re meant to do – eat well and stay hydrated and exercise and take stock and be kind to yourself. But I’m only human, so naturally existential dread and despair for the state of humanity/our planet and mindless doom scrolling and staring into the mirror wondering if my best days are behind me occasionally prevails.

Have you had any advice from other’s who have performed at the Fringe?

I’ve had loads of tips for flyering. Look good: colourful, memorable, happy (fake it). A big sexy corflute sign and a strong three second pitch. For the festival, pace yourself but see as much as you can. It’s a grind but a great one!

Have you visited Scotland or Edinburgh before?

Just that time when I was fourteen and more flavourless than flawless. I remember seeing the Crown Jewels in the castle and also climbing up ‘the hill’ – so lots more to discover this time around. I have Scottish ancestry, so I’m excited to say that a lot!

How have you found booking accommodation?

It was slim pickings because we only got our ducks in a row quite late. BUT I struck gold with two of my friends who are stunning drag queens with a two bedroom spacious apartment booked in the meadows! Their roommate had to pull out at the last minute, I promise her injuries didn’t result from me tripping her down the stairs ‘Showgirls’ stye…

What plans do you have for your show after the Edinburgh Fringe is over?

CATEGORY IS: SUGAR-WORLDWIDE!

Photo credit Megan Harding.