The Ugly Sisters
Touring
Two stars

It’s becoming common practice to give fairytales a feminist makeover but few are as dark and intense as RashDash's adaptation of Cinderella.

Presenting the viewpoint of the heroine's loud and disruptive Ugly Sisters -  "We're reclaiming the word!" - this one-acter is confrontational and uncomfortable to watch despite moments of humour and clever choreography.

Abbi Greenland (Emerald) and Helen Goalen (Pearl) command the stage from the outset, intimidating nervous audience members while detailing a deprived but loving childhood during which they were fed Pop Tarts from Netto and played in burnt-out cars.

The frenetic narrative is interspersed with punky musical interludes from three-piece band Not Now Bernard, who also step forward to play the sisters' hard-working mother Ruby, The Prince and stepsister Arabella. There are scenes of push-pull contemporary dance sequences too, reflecting the tug-of-war relationship between the sisters.

These scenes become increasingly ugly as the story progresses, taking in an unnerving beat-box and loop station meltdown about being a Barbie, reality television show You Shall Go To The Ball, bloody cosmetic surgery, and tabloid notoriety.

Tackling the public's fascination with celebrity, gender and class stereotyping and body image, the whip-smart production has plenty to admire. But it left me feeling pummelled and exhausted.

Tours until November 10, details: www.rashdash.co.uk