The Ugly Sisters

This reimagining of the Cinderella story is no fairytale. Brash, angry and dark, it’s a parable for our manipulative times, in which the underdog is briefly championed before being humiliated and discarded.

The Ugly Sisters, in this case, are Emerald and Pearl – not ugly at all, but dishevelled, neglected twins, the victims of a difficult upbringing. When their mum, Ruby, takes them to live with a new father and step-sister, Arabella, they become further dependent on each other’s company as Ruby treats Arabella like the perfect daughter Emerald and Pearl never were.

Accompanied by the band Not Now Bernard, the two sisters express their rage and hurt as though fronting a rock band, singing both thrashing, thumping anthems and sad, wistful numbers. It’s enjoyable, with a slightly deranged, Tim Burton-esque feel.

There’s nothing fantastical about the modern twist, sadly. Desperate for approval, the girls apply for a reality show in which the winner—after a succession of humiliating games—gets to marry the Prince (C5 show The Bachelor anyone?). Pitted against their step-sister, they are, without knowing it, the comedy contestants, a duo of Jade Goodys the viewing public loves to laugh at. It’s an obvious comment on the superficiality and cruelty of our society, where vulnerable people are made famous for their flaws rather than their talents.

This comment has been made before—Charlie Brooker’s recent Black Mirror springs to mind—but RashDash has an original style which engages the audience even if, towards the end, it becomes a bit wearing. Nevertheless, this is an energetic, fresh piece of storytelling from a talented duo.