REVIEW: Apparently Ugly: A Stepsister Story, ERA Productions, EdFringe 2026 ★★★★

What happened to the ugly sisters after Cinderella’s happy ever after? Apparently Ugly: A Stepsister Story is musical misadventure for all the family as Olga and Agnes discover what it means to be ugly. Produced by ERA Productions who brought Frozen Love: A Buckingham Nicks Story to critical acclaim at last year’s EdFringe, this show proves that this company can do it all.

Watching as the audience pack themselves into a sold-out lecture hall, you get the feeling you’re in safe hands. The music crashes, the opening monologue begins and for a moment you think, have I walked into a pantomime… in August?

A mysterious voice gives us the well-known backstory, and then finally, our stepsisters rush into the opening number battling over the catching of the wedding flowers. Their harmonies, chemistry and Nicky Douglas’ score stand out almost immediately, launching us into a fairytale world built on quests, drag, slapstick comedy and Shrek-level adult humour sprinkled on top.

The world debut of Douglas’ show brings a fresh perspective on the stepsisters in the wake of countless other retellings. It gravitates towards the little ones with high levels of Disney channel nostalgia, however you’ll still spot millennials singing along to their pre-show playlist: ‘This is what dreams are made of…’. 

Amber Hegarty and Hannah McRoche shine as our dynamic duo Olga and Agnes. You just know these women share this connection on and off the stage.

Elliot Wooster shines as the Godfather as well as countless other characters. Their stage presence and energy is contagious, paired with some incredible costumes.

Nicky Douglas himself as Mother has the most incredible costume and makeup work on a panto(ish) villain I have ever seen. He knows this story inside out and the passion that he brings in his few moments radiates across the crowd. But beware, hide your husbands from the first few rows, Mother may have something to say!

You can catch Apparently Ugly: A Stepsister Story at Underbelly Bristo Square from August 16-31 (not 17-19, 24-26) at 11:40 (60 mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.