Ugly! A Cinderella Story – Cumbernauld at Lanternhouse

Writer: Gary McNair

Director: Jo Rush

Composer: Brian James O’Sullivan

Festive shows thankfully come in all shapes and sizes and themes, and like its subject matter Ugly! A Cinderella Story doesn’t quite fit the traditional mold.

This time, the story is told from the perspective of one of Cinders step-sisters (yes, the ones they call ugly) it’s a scratch the surface to see what’s really underneath tale. Set in glorious Wondernauld, Chantelle is bold, brash and not a little bit nasty. Under the tutelage of her very wicked Maw, Chantelle makes poor Cinders life a misery, but why? Does she really hate her? Is she really that bad? Or is it just to please her overwhelming mum? Ugly! is an exploration of the search for love in all its forms, forgiveness and fresh starts.

Writer Gary McNair has an enviable track record of success, with thoughtful, provocative and original work populating his C.V. He’s clever, very clever, with a deft hand at complex and though-provoking dialogue. Is this the best match for a festive show? I hear you ask. Well, to be brutally honest, if it’s one aimed largely at kids, then no. There’s no denying the intent here, it doesn’t pander to festive norms, it tries to address deeper and more thoughtful emotional issues and should be lauded for that, but the razor sharp dialogue zooms way above the heads of the bemused and often restless kids that make up the heart of the audience. It’s even a mental workout for the adults to keep up with all the cleverness.

The music from multi-talented Brian James O’Sullivan (an award-winning panto dame as well as composer, comedian and actor) is classic musical theatre, all very pleasant to the ear, but largely forgettable. To quote the six year-old sitting behind me as the opening bars of another song strikes up: “oh, no, not this again”.

The small cast are energetic and committed to giving their all. Lauren Ellis Steele is Chantelle, the one on the journey of discovery and redemption and she’s a likeable, relatable, flawed central character. Jo Freer is suitably repugnant as her un-loving, bully of a mother and the Fairy Godmother/Prince from Lawrence Boothman is the most loveable of all the characters, with more than a touch of Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness about her/him. Unlike other shows with the glass slipper-wearing heroine at their helm, this Cinderella (Eva Beattie) is barely on stage.

Creative producer Fraser Morrison addresses the audience at the end and tells us that the intention for the whole production was to pursue joy, I don’t doubt the sincerity of the aim, but a little more joy wouldn’t have gone amiss.

Runs until 30 December 2023 | Image: Contributed