Steel Magnolias

I was excited to attend my first drama of 2025, and Robert Harling’s 1980’s play, which is based upon a personal family tragedy, and required Director Kat Tindall to cast 6 actresses that could pull off the close friendship and bond between 6 ladies of varying ages based in a town in Southern Louisiana. From the moment that Daisy Wilson (as young Annelle), entered into the salon in search of a job to meet Briony Thompson (As salon owner Truvy), it was apparent early on that casting had been perfect.

The split-level set of a beauty salon was very well dressed and detailed, with chequered flooring, 2 hair drying areas, and the use by the cast during the performance of virtually every area of the stage of various beauty and hair utensils and products, and a working shower head to wash hair over a sink.  Timings on phone calls received, cast turning on the radio and other sound effects were spot on, as well as 80’s hairstyles and high-quality wigs. Little things like the reading of a Readers Digest brought back some fond memories of simpler times.

From start to finish, on opening night, the tricky script was delivered with sharp precision. I was completely captivated, not only with the on-stage chemistry and rapport of the cast, but also the whole cast’s acting when not speaking, their reactions to the speech, and their ability to make the audience feel that this was a working beauty salon. Daisy, as Annelle, had the most to do in this respect, and with her strong southern American accent, she never stopped, whether it be washing hair, mixing paste for hair perms, putting towels in the washing basket, and, very impressively, setting the hair of M’Lynn (Nicola Gilbert), in a full set of hair rollers. Focusing on all this whilst still coming in with her lines and reactions on queue every time, this was an outstanding performance.

Briony as Truvy was the lynchpin throughout, a fantastic southern American accent and a depth of character showing such empathy and emotion as the story unfolded. Again, the difficulty of delivering and reacting to the other characters script, such as undertaking the pinning up of Shelby’s hair (Lucy Connor), was exquisitely managed by Briony, and the opening with Annelle in setting the scene was of a very high standard.

Enter former town Mayor and widow Clairee (Amanda Howell), who had some of the best comic lines in the show, including some great put downs to Annelle and Ouiser (Hilary Lester). Then to break through the grief in the room to deliver “Laughter through tears is my favourite emotion.” Another very strong characterisation of a strong woman who has had more than her fair share of difficult times during her life.

As Shelby, Lucy was bright, bubbly, and optimistic, another perfectly cast role that was portayed to a very high quality. Strong acting when Shelby had a hypoglycaemic episode due to her diabetes. As grumpy Ouiser, Hilary really came into her own in Act 2, delivering some very funny lines, and then the warmth and compassion to M’Lynn as the play reached its conclusion.

Nicola Gilbert, as M’Lynn, as the loving and very protective Mother of her daughter, Shelby, was another outstanding characterisation, and her speech regarding the loss of her daughter gave me goosebumps with the emotion put into it. In tears, it was a very heartwarming moment when her friends went to support her.

Every aspect of this play had been carefully thought out and delivered to perfection. My congratulations to Kat, the fantastic cast and everyone else involved in creating this wonderful production.

 

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