This was a thought-provoking, strong and unsettling version of Cinderella, told from the perspective of the Ugly Sisters. Having seen their Scary Gorgeous last year I could pick out similar themes emerging - the idea of how females can completely transform themselves and the image they convey using the coding of dress, hair and make-up and how this image is then processed and dealt with by those reacting to it.
I felt this was in effect a further stage of exploration of the themes and the creative format which were dealt with in Scary Gorgeous. A very similar format was presented, using a live band, contemporary dance, and song . However, I felt this piece was much better, tighter, more structured and more meaningful than the previous offering. A definite progression and improvement (sounds like a school report, sorry!) This had a stronger structure, utilised the live band in a much more integrated way, had a feeling of progression and story and the real core thread of a strong point that they wanted to make. They are two very interesting performers, engaging, talented, very different and dangerous.
Still not sure this would be practical to tour - five performers including a three-strong band might make it too expensive, but would love to see more from this company, I think we need to talk to them seriously about making some work for rural touring. They would definitely appeal to younger audiences, I think.
Review by Gill Vickers
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