Skip to main content

Cinderella’s Ugly Stepsisters are back. This time, it’s their ball.

Now even BIGGER & BADDER

The Westbury Theatre, Fringe Theatre Arts Barns, 10330 84 Ave NW, Edmonton

Feb 13-15 2025 BUY TICKETS

The 5-time Sterling Award-nominated production

The Ugly Stepsisters cordially invite you back to the Palace, just like the good old days. Doesn’t everyone love a ball? The pageantry, the elegance, the romance… but their ball, their rules, and the world’s most infamous step-siblings are ready to dish the dirt. What scandals hide within the glittering facade? What was Cinderella really like? Are the stepsisters really vapid? Vindictive?… Victims?

The Spinsters is a seductive feast featuring mesmerizing movement, magical dresses, and stunning shadow puppetry. It’s a deliciously disruptive dark comedy for adults brought to life by some of the most innovative designers and creators from across Western Canada.

the critics are saying…

Compelling… bewitching… miraculous to witness…Happily ever after will never be quite the same.

Liane Faulder, the Edmonton Journal

ingenious, kooky, and fun

Liz Nicholls, 12thNight.ca

very funny … ridiculously clever and mind-blowing. But this show is more than just fun [it will] make you think a lot after.

Findster Finds



The Spinsters team

EDMONTON January 2024 PLAYBILL and BIOS

Small Matters creates in an interdisciplinary, collaborative, and horizontal structure. We acknowledge this traditional crediting structure does not fully reflect the interdepartmental collaborative nature of our work.

Conceived, written & performed by Christine Lesiak & Tara Travis

Directed by Jan Selman

Movement and choreography by Ainsley Hillyard

Puppetry direction by Jeny Cassady

Dramaturged by Suzie Martin

Head concept & costume design by Adam Dickson with Ian Walker

Set and prop design by Ian Walker with Adam Dickson

Mechanical design and special effects by Ian Walker

Puppet and wig design by Dusty Hagerüd with Steven Snider

Lighting design by Jude Weismiller

Original composition and sound design by Michael Caron | Additional music by Lindsey Walker

Production management and technical direction by Kat Evans

Accessibility consultation (Alberta) Brooke Leifso

Graphic illustration Kurt Firla

Costume technical team:

With development contributions from:

Production assistance Carson Gervais

Creation workshop directors Suzie Martin & Jeny Cassady

Dramaturgy and mentorship support from David van Belle, through the Alberta Playwrights Network and RBC Playwrights Mentorship Program.

Character development support from Deanna Fleysher & Jan Henderson

Early movement consultation with Jake Hastey

The Spinsters premiered November 2023 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, in Burnaby B.C. In Alberta, it was presented as a part of Edmonton Fringe Theatre’s Season, January 2024.


The Spinsters has been made possible with support from  

This project is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts
logo with words "shadbolt centre" on a purple square
Deer Lake Artist Residencies The City of Burnaby & Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
This project is supported by the Edmonton Arts Council and the City of Edmonton.
Financial assistance provided by the Manitoba Arts Council
Color Sound Lab logo
Fringe Theatre Season logo
Toy Guns Dance Theatre logo
Alberta Playwrights Network logo
Back to all Shows