Steel Magnolias

Set over a period of almost three years, the play tells the tale of six women of totally different backgrounds, ages, personalities, and social and financial standing, each of whose stories were inextricably entwined through events and circumstances.

Hair salon owner ‘Truvy’, played with Deep South charm and accent by Annette Morris, was a likeable and believable character with a cheery disposition whom the audience couldn’t help but like. New starter at the salon, and down on her luck, was the somewhat unsure ‘Annelle’ (played by Libby Kennedy) who boosted her growing confidence with the help of friends and ‘finding God’. Enter ‘Clairee’, the middle aged lady of means with a go-get-it attitude to life played by Jan Forster. Her on-stage banter and dialogue with other cast members was a joy, none more so than with fellow town elder ‘Ouiser,’ played by Susan Haswell, whose one-liners, cynical attitude but ultimately warm heart endeared her to the audience.

Mother and daughter ‘M’Lynn’ and ‘Shelby’ were played by Margaret Smith and Viki Cowey respectively, and were a good contrast to each other as M’Lynn battled with, but ultimately gave in to, her daughter’s life choices including acceptance of the fact that her daughter becoming pregnant could prove life threatening, knowing of her diabetes. Despite M’Lynn donating a kidney to her ailing daughter, its failure resulted in the early death of the young mother. Shelby was a very determined young lady whose assertion she would “rather have 30 minutes of ‘wonderful’ than a lifetime of ‘nothing special’” is perhaps a lesson for us all? M’Lynn’s powerful and emotional speech at the death of Shelby was a very poignant and defining moment of the play.

The beauty salon set (complete with running water – nice authentic touch) was full of props without seeming cluttered. The audience were the ‘mirror’ into which the actors, whilst inspecting their hair styling, delivered their lines. The intimacy and empathy between audience and actors was tangible because of this one fine point of detail. Accents were authentic and discernible although some dialogue was missed over the background music at times. This was a superb example of drama with its humour, pathos, tragedy and ultimate message of ‘life goes on’. A big ‘well done’ to the ladies of the group.

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