Sugarman underwent five years of development and six months of intensive workshops and preparations before debuting at Intjartanama Outstation (120 km from Alice Springs) on 24 August 1996 (with a repeat performance the following night). The audience was specially invited, and included both Aboriginal and white people from various communities in Central Australia. The performance provoked much thought, comment, and reaction along with ongoing evaluation and discussion, with further events to follow.
The initial proceedings and performance were documented by David Roberts and his production company Antipodes Productions, for future presentation on television in Australia. A series of follow-up workshops were also instigated in Alice Springs following the performance.
