Apparently Ugly by ERA Theatrical Productions transports the audience into the world of one of the most famous fairy tales as they follow the lives of the ‘so-called’ ugly stepsisters after Cinderella has married the Prince. This heartfelt and powerful musical spectacular demonstrates that true beauty is found within through a plethora of fantastical musical numbers, impressive set changes and everything you would expect from a high-scale pantomime. With an unstoppable cast, hilarious characters and truly magical moments, this is a show that is perfect for the whole family!
What is particularly clever about this production is the fact that, from the very first moment the audience steps into the theatre at Ermintrude at Underbelly, they are transported into the magical heart of the wonderful world of Cinderella. The audience are greeted by a towering mirror, akin to the magic mirror from this classic fairy tale, while the space is filled with a collection of Disney-infused pop music. This immediately establishes the playful and magical tone of the production before the story has even begun. The mirror is also cleverly used throughout the show to transform into a range of eccentric set pieces, helping the audience follow this magical adventure across a variety of outlandish locations. Considering the limited space available within the theatre, the production makes fantastic use of its surroundings. The creative use of the set demonstrates an incredible understanding not only of the cosy theatre space available but also of the rapid pace of the Edinburgh Fringe. There is never a feeling that the production is restricted by its venue, with the constantly changing environment helping to maintain the energetic atmosphere. Once the production actually begins, the two lead characters, Agnes and Olga (played flawlessly by Amber Hegarty and Chloe Way respectively), burst onto the stage and jump straight into the story without the need for complicated exposition, as almost every person is already familiar with the story of Cinderella. They start the show lamenting over the fact that their annoying stepsister has recently run away with the Prince, causing them to take a deep look at themselves and question why they were not picked.
This leads to the emergence of their wickedly cruel mother, brilliantly portrayed by the wonderful Nicky Douglas, who also wrote and directed the entire show. She informs them that there is one simple reason they have not found love: it is because they are, in fact, ugly. This horrible and vile remark becomes the catalyst for the entire adventure, as the stepsisters decide that they must transform themselves from the so-called ‘ugly’ stepsisters into the town’s most eligible bachelorettes. Their journey eventually leads them to meet the fabulous Fairy Godfather, portrayed wonderfully by Elliott Wooster. Rather than simply providing them with a magical makeover, however, the Fairy Godfather helps the duo discover that true beauty comes from within. They begin to understand that changing their appearance will not magically make them happier or more attractive if they continue to behave badly towards themselves and the people around them. This provides the show with an incredibly important message about self-confidence, kindness and learning to accept who you are. What makes this message particularly effective is the fact that it is delivered alongside plenty of comedy, music and larger-than-life performances. The production never becomes overly serious or loses sight of its role as a fun family musical. Instead, the more meaningful moments are woven naturally into the story, allowing younger members of the audience to enjoy the spectacle while still taking away an important lesson. It is also particularly clever that the four-person cast possess incredible chemistry both on and off stage. Despite the relatively small cast, the production never feels empty, with each performer bringing an enormous amount of energy to their respective characters. The story is perfectly carried along by characters that the audience are already incredibly familiar with, while still providing enough of a twist to make this feel like a fresh take on the traditional Cinderella story.
In conclusion, Apparently Ugly by ERA Theatrical Productions is an impactful yet magical show that shines a light on the often negatively viewed ‘ugly’ stepsisters as they discover that the most attractive thing you can do is love yourself and others. Teaching people to be kinder to themselves and other people is always incredibly important, but it is needed now more than ever! This is a fantastic musical spectacle, guided by a ridiculously talented cast, that transforms the stage at Ermintrude at Underbelly into the heart of this classic fairy tale in the most brilliant way. With the characters we love to hate placed at the centre of the story, alongside catchy musical numbers, impressive staging and a genuinely heartwarming message, Apparently Ugly is a fantastic production for the whole family. I would rate this show 5 out of 5 stars!
Rhysreviews 