Steel Magnolias

This classic piece of theatre is based on the writer, Robert Harling’s experience regarding his sister’s death. With a cast of six females, the play takes place in the late 1980’s in laid back Louisiana where each character was dependent on the other. Director Andy Thomas pulled out all the stops on this production and made certain all the characters gelled together. The set was typical of a beauty salon where the characters breezed in and out from day to day, perhaps only for a coffee and chat. 

The set was well designed with much thought given to detail with all the accoutrements one would expect to see in a salon at that period of time, and the players dealt well with all props involved. 

The six characters, brought comedy and pathos to the piece maintaining their Louisiana accent throughout. The script was pacey and there were no pauses or hiccups at all.   Owner of the beauty salon, Truvy, was portrayed by Lara Crawford who, confident in every aspect of stagecraft, put her stamp on the role from the moment the tabs opened. Lara busied herself every minute throughout the play and dealing with her new assistant Annele, who eventually reveals her true feelings about her situation, skilfully, and later evangelically characterised by Simone Baldwin.  Creditable performances from bride to be, Shelby (Lorna Hughes), and her mother M’Lynn (Judith Williams) who don’t always see eye to eye about many situations, including any future additions to the family based on Shelby’s Type 1 Diabetes.  This was evident throughout the piece and one could feel the ‘thorn in the flesh’ banter and situation from mother and daughter. Act 2 was a conversation stopper when M’Lynn broke down completely in the salon screaming and crying delivering a frenzied speech about her late daughter. The role of Clairee, widow of the town’s mayor was in the capable hands of Carole Lauren who always came up with over the top suitable remarks. Helen Thomas in the role of ‘don’t mess with me’ Ouiser, added much comedy to the piece. Handy with a gun to say the least! I can see that this play was a delight to direct, rehearse, and perform. Costumes were appropriate for the 1980’s which the cast changed many times. I loved the music during the change of scenes and the steely voice of my favourite John Denver brought tingles down my spine, marvellous, and added to the atmosphere. If there was a slight downside it would be that one or two of the characters tended to drop their voices at the end of a sentence instead of carrying on right to the end.  The other would be, this was an excellent comedy drama, performed to professional standards. I felt sorry it was not better attended and those who missed it, missed an evening of sheer delight.

Congratulations Present Stage Theatre Company! Ladies you excelled yourselves. Oh, by the way. Any free appointments for an 80’s shampoo and set??  Thank you for your kind invitation and indeed every one of your productions I have had the privilege to attend.

This is the opinion of the Reviewer.

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