Sugar – Hayes Theatre Winter Cabaret (NSW)

Presented by Bullet Heart Club in association with Hayes Theatre Co. Written by Ro Bright. Directed by Kitan Petkovski.

SUGAR is 70 minutes of pure theatrical, camp, musical bliss

Reviewed by Alexandro Gould-Arocha
Hayes Theatre, Potts Point
19th-20th June, 2025
Arts Centre Melbourne
30th June, 2025
Tickets: https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2025/musical/sugar

Type: Chaotic, Captivating, Camp
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This new cabaret by Ro Bright is electric and captivating at every moment. Following the story of a struggling actor, who decides to become a sugar baby, they meet a middle age businessman off an app, and their entanglement kicks off. This is, of course, filled with hits from Kylie Minogue, Chappell Roan, and Troye Sivan.

Kitan Petkovski’s direction leads this cabaret with such fire that is skillfully contained in more dramatic sections. We open with playful audience interaction and fun pop hits (see above). The use of interaction and lighting in this first half helps us orientate our perspective to Tom’s feelings within the context of their world, paving the way for the height of the story to hit us harder throughout. The leadup to the high stakes emotion of SUGAR is quite incredible, and bolsters the cabaret elements to the heights of theatrical intensity and impact on the audience.

Tomáš Kantor drives the show with a magnificent and forceful energy, imbued with infectious and incredible charisma. They are a multi-talented performer who is not only a triple threat, but awards themselves the quadruple label as aa cellist and keyboardist.

The Green Room Award-nominated production design team include Bethany J Fellows (Visual Designer), Spencer Herd (Lighting Designer), and Rachel Lewindon (Musical Director, Sound Designer), who, together create a highly immersive and polished cabaret.

Fellows’ visual design was immaculate, and leaned into the sexy and chaotic energy of the show’s premise. The design was well-thought out with clever embellishments that heightened the dramatic action. Herd’s lighting created strong moments on stage, while Lewindon’s musical direction and sound design blew me away.

SUGAR has just the right amount of sweetness, spice, and chaotic queer energy that makes for an incredible night out.

SUGAR played at the Hayes Theatre from 19th-20th June. SUGAR returns to Melbourne for a one night on the 30th of June at the Arts Centre Melbourne before touring internationally.