Review – One for the Ugly Girls

Watching slightly more unshaven vaginal nudity than I had bargained for on a Saturday afternoon, I had found myself in an artists living room. Well, actually it was the Cats Bowl at The Tuxedo Cat; a fantastic space which felt like it existed only for this show. I was particularly impressed by the use of a real window for lighting and find myself marveling at the gorgeous naked sketches that lined walls.

We were in Alastair’s living room, a recently widowed artist who had lost his painting mojo since his wife died several months ago.

With a solid performance by Lori Bell, we develop a slight crush on the skinny, not picture perfect young woman, Jade, as she awkwardly settles herself into what we soon learn is an unfamiliar  situation for her.

Alastair has booked ‘Jade’ as a life model, someone to inspire him to paint again and remind him of the beauty of his ex-wife. Only ‘Jade’ isn’t quite who he expected and it’s clear that ‘Jade’ is just as uncomfortable in the situation as he is.

With the vocab of what my mother would call a ‘gutter rat’ we warm to Jade, check out her womanly curves and laugh our way through the clumsiness.

One For The Ugly Girls is a funny, lighthearted play about 3 characters who’s lives unfold in interesting circumstances.

I don’t feel like an ‘ugly girl’ all the time but I think all women have experienced being her at some point and this play will pull on those strings.

It’s different, very funny and definitely left of centre.