Apparently Ugly at Underbelly Soho – Theatre Review

★★★★★

The cast of Apparently Ugly. Photo credit Luci Stansfield

Every so often, you come out of a theatre in Soho feeling slightly lighter than when you went in. Our review of Apparently Ugly at Underbelly Soho found that it does exactly that. No fuss, no over‑selling — just a very funny, very well‑paced musical that knows exactly what it’s doing and does it with confidence.

This is a re‑imagining of the Cinderella story, but not from the point of view we’re usually invited to sympathise with. Instead, the focus is firmly on the so‑called Ugly Sisters, left behind while their perfect step-sibling swans off to live happily ever after. It’s a neat idea, and while it’s not brand new to look at a familiar tale from another angle (there's a knowing wink to Wicked), the writing here is sharp enough that it feels fresh rather than derivative.

From the outset, Apparently Ugly moves at a cracking pace. There’s no hanging around waiting for the plot to get going — it barrels straight into the action and keeps things rolling. The cast make full use of Underbelly’s intimate layout, constantly spilling into the audience, ducking between rows and creating a lovely sense of controlled chaos. It never feels intrusive, but it does keep you alert, which is half the fun.

What really works is how carefully the humour is pitched. We laughed a lot, and so did the children in the audience. There are plenty of visual jokes, playful moments and bits of outright silliness for younger viewers, but also a steady undercurrent of humour aimed squarely at the adults. Nothing feels laboured, and the jokes are trusted to land without winking too hard.

The cast are excellent across the board, but two performances deserve a special mention. Elliott Wooster’s Fairy Godfather is a complete joy — flamboyant, quick‑thinking and utterly at ease with the room. There’s something delightfully old‑school about his comic persona, and more than once he reminded us of a younger Julian Clary, albeit with better hair and a slightly softer edge.

The Wicked Stepmother, played by Nicky Douglas, is another highlight. Douglas is also responsible for the writing, direction and music, yet his performance never tips into self‑importance. Instead, it’s bold, theatrical and very funny, with excellent timing and a strong feel for character.

Musically, the show holds up well. The songs sit comfortably within the story rather than stopping it dead, and the title number “Apparently Ugly” is particularly catchy. The only slight drawback is that the music occasionally makes some lyrics harder to catch, which is a shame given how neatly written they are.

Costumes are a real treat, especially those worn by the Stepmother and Fairy Godfather. They’re imaginative, character‑driven and help give the show visual punch without overwhelming the relatively simple staging.

All in all, Apparently Ugly is clever without being smug, chaotic without being messy, and heartfelt without tipping into sentimentality. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would happily recommend it to anyone planning a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Cast:

Amber Hegarty, Chloe Way, Elliott Wooster, Nicky Douglas

Creatives:

Writer/Composer/Director - Nicky Douglas

Assistant Director - Becky Hoyle

Producer - Rachel Duncan

Producing Company - ERA Theatrical Productions

Production Manager - Rene Alfaro

Costumes - Sarah Douglas

Set Designer - Josh Iverson

Where to see Apparently Ugly next

🎭 Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026

• Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square – Ermintrude

• Dates: 5–31 August 2026

• Age guidance: 8+

• Duration: 60 minutes

• Tickets

At the time of writing, no other UK tour or post‑Fringe dates for 2026 have been officially announced, but the production is clearly designed with touring and festival longevity in mind.