Apparently Ugly is the story of Cinderella’s stepsisters and what happens when their mother finally tells them that they are indeed ‘ugly.’ We meet the sisters just after Cinderella’s wedding, where they are fighting over the bouquet, which causes their mother to snap and tell them exactly what she thinks of them, banishing them until they both find a husband. They set out on their quest but, as with all fairy stories, the thing they were looking for may not have been what they were expecting.
The book by Nicky Douglas is a pleasant one, although one that is beginning to feel like we’ve heard it before, with many pantomimes across the land subverting fairy stories and trying to make their women more self-assured and less reliant on the prince always saving the day. That being said, it is still a worthwhile message and, for a show aimed at younger audiences and families, one that sits well with the audience.
The show was almost pantomime-like in its framing, with plenty of breaking the fourth wall, audience interaction and a wicked stepmother in drag. There are times when they could lean into this more, as the audience appeared unsure if they should engage in the traditional pantomime back-and-forth or lean into the more traditional ‘watch quietly’ theatre etiquette. For a family show, though, there is plenty here to keep younger audience members engaged.
The music and lyrics, also by Nicky Douglas, were enjoyable for the piece and helped both drive the story forward and give us an insight into the characters. However, there were no real earworms or anything that made me want to hunt out a cast recording afterwards.
Playing the sisters, Agnes and Olga, were Amber Hegarty and Hannah McRoche respectively. They had a huge amount of energy and chemistry and struck a good balance between their comedic performances, harking back to the stepsisters that the audience know and love to hate, and slowly winning them over with their friendship and their own journey. Elliott Wooster played the Fairy Godfather and they brought camp joy to the stage whenever they were on, with bundles of charisma. Completing the cast was Nicky Douglas, who not only had written the book, music and lyrics but directed the show and played Mother. They had a wonderful drag persona and interacted with the audience naturally; I assume they are a seasoned pantomime pro, making such a wonderful villain that you couldn’t help but like them.
The set was well considered, with a triangular prism used for the majority of the scenes, simply revolving when we needed to move location. Costumes were also brilliantly considered, from Mother’s all-black fabulous gown through to the powder blue suit worn by the Fairy Godfather. The set and costumes help keep the younger members of the audience’s attention whilst still being an effective and clever use of space and resources.
Apparently Ugly may not reinvent the fairy tale, but it is a fun, colourful and energetic show that delivers a positive message about self-worth and finding your own happiness. The cast throw themselves into the comedy and the visual presentation is particularly effective, making this a strong choice for families looking for something playful and accessible at the Fringe. For younger audience members, there is plenty to enjoy here, even if adults may find some of the story and musical material familiar.
Apparently Ugly is on at Underbelly Bristo Square at 11:40-12:40 except 17th – 19th and 24th -26th. You can find out more and book tickets here
If you like this review you might also like my review of Bliss, Under The Influence and One Man Musical.