THE ORIGINAL STAGE PLAY
THAT SPAWNED THE HOLLYWOOD FILM
THAT SPAWNED THE HOLLYWOOD FILM
REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
Steel Magnolias
7 – 11 March
Palace Theatre, Southend
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
Steel Magnolias
7 – 11 March
Palace Theatre, Southend
Steel Magnolias was written as a play by Robert Harling and was first performed off-Broadway in 1987 before it was made into the sentimental blockbuster movie starring Dolly Parton, Sally Field and Julia Roberts. The play is based on Harling's first hand experience of the women he grew up with in Natchitoches, Louisiana. In fact, the characters of M'Lynn and Shelby are directly drawn from the real life events of his own mother and sister which gives extra poignance to this deeply warm, funny and uplifting play.
Set in the town’s beauty salon, owned by Truvy, (Lucy Speed), we are gradually introduced to each of the characters as they arrive for hair appointments, job applications or just to have a cup of coffee and a plain old gossip and catch up.
Set in the town’s beauty salon, owned by Truvy, (Lucy Speed), we are gradually introduced to each of the characters as they arrive for hair appointments, job applications or just to have a cup of coffee and a plain old gossip and catch up.
Firstly, there’s Annelle (Elizabeth Ayodele), a young woman from out of town, who has just bagged herself a job after doing a cracking job coiffuring Miss Truvy’s larger than life blonde locks. Shortly after this we are introduced to the recently widowed Clairee (Caroline Harker) who has a penchant for American Football. There is a heightened anticipation in the salon this particular morning because Truvy is expecting the arrival of Shelby Eatenton (Diana Vickers), who is to be married that afternoon, along with her mother, M’Lynn (Laura Main). The ensemble is completed with the arrival of the irate Ouisa (Harriet Thorpe), who also conjures up a magnificent vision of her mangy, hairless dog who we have heard barking at the gun shots being taken at the birds to scare them off the magnolia tree that lies contentiously between her own and the Eatenton’s land in readiness for the wedding ceremony.
Within the confines of the salon the audience is easily drawn into the idle yet compelling chit chat which reveals so much about the women and their community’s day to day lives.
Each of the characters have their own story but the focus is really on Shelby, her wedding and her struggle to remain as ‘normal’ as possible as we discover that she has diabetes. Diane Vickers is an absolute joy to watch in this role and plays the part with true conviction. Her Shelby is cute with a touch of vulnerability, yet determined and sassy, as she strives to be the independent woman she yearns to be; and the impact she has on the other women’s lives is truly palpable.
Within the confines of the salon the audience is easily drawn into the idle yet compelling chit chat which reveals so much about the women and their community’s day to day lives.
Each of the characters have their own story but the focus is really on Shelby, her wedding and her struggle to remain as ‘normal’ as possible as we discover that she has diabetes. Diane Vickers is an absolute joy to watch in this role and plays the part with true conviction. Her Shelby is cute with a touch of vulnerability, yet determined and sassy, as she strives to be the independent woman she yearns to be; and the impact she has on the other women’s lives is truly palpable.
In a role that could possibly be seen as one dimensional, Harriet Thorpe does no such thing and gives a fabulous performance in the role of Ouiser. She allows us to see the heart inside the curmudgeonly, grumpy exterior that breaks down as the play progresses and she displays some well honed funny bones in this peach of a part.
This really is a stellar cast who work fantastically well as an ensemble. There’s also plenty of humour in this play and lots of laughs to be had throughout which makes the evening roll along at a good pace. Many of the laughs come from the frequent one liners dished out from Lucy Speed as Truvy, who is just delightful. Giving her the full on big hair, big boobs, Dolly Parton makeover, (“It takes some effort to look like this”), Speed delivers her lines with perfect comedy timing. In one particular scene, talking about one of her son’s girlfriends, she declares, “the nicest thing I can say about her is that all her tattoos are spelled correctly.” While we’re on the subject of big hair, I must confess that this play has gone all out on wigs. I get that the play is set at a time in the eighties where hair was pretty huge, but perhaps not so much as to be a tad distracting as worn on certain performers in this production.
This production of Steel Magnolias really flows fantastically well with a great set and smooth and quick scene changes taking us from Shelby’s wedding, to the following Christmas and an announcement from Shelby that leaves the women needing each other more than ever. Their compassion and camaraderie really shines through.
This really is a stellar cast who work fantastically well as an ensemble. There’s also plenty of humour in this play and lots of laughs to be had throughout which makes the evening roll along at a good pace. Many of the laughs come from the frequent one liners dished out from Lucy Speed as Truvy, who is just delightful. Giving her the full on big hair, big boobs, Dolly Parton makeover, (“It takes some effort to look like this”), Speed delivers her lines with perfect comedy timing. In one particular scene, talking about one of her son’s girlfriends, she declares, “the nicest thing I can say about her is that all her tattoos are spelled correctly.” While we’re on the subject of big hair, I must confess that this play has gone all out on wigs. I get that the play is set at a time in the eighties where hair was pretty huge, but perhaps not so much as to be a tad distracting as worn on certain performers in this production.
This production of Steel Magnolias really flows fantastically well with a great set and smooth and quick scene changes taking us from Shelby’s wedding, to the following Christmas and an announcement from Shelby that leaves the women needing each other more than ever. Their compassion and camaraderie really shines through.
The final scene certainly packs a punch with Laura Main’s M’Lynn really saving her best performance til last. I only wish that this could have been delivered from a more downstage perspective so that we could have seen the emotion on her face more clearly.
This play really highlights the ability of women to give strength and empathy to each other during tough times and heartache. As the playwright himself says, “…magnolias are fragile and bruise easily…the women I’ve known are indeed gorgeous, but their lives can be fragile. If you look underneath, they possess a tensile strength stronger than anything I could muster. Their strength, joy and laughter rang out no matter what life threw at them.”
These are the true Steel Magnolias and this cast delivers that message perfectly.
Don’t miss this fantastic production playing at the Palace Theatre all this week.
Review: Kim Tobin
This play really highlights the ability of women to give strength and empathy to each other during tough times and heartache. As the playwright himself says, “…magnolias are fragile and bruise easily…the women I’ve known are indeed gorgeous, but their lives can be fragile. If you look underneath, they possess a tensile strength stronger than anything I could muster. Their strength, joy and laughter rang out no matter what life threw at them.”
These are the true Steel Magnolias and this cast delivers that message perfectly.
Don’t miss this fantastic production playing at the Palace Theatre all this week.
Review: Kim Tobin
Steel Magnolias, the hilarious and heart-warming play based on a true story, which enjoyed huge global success in the hit 1989 film adaptation starring Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts, is embarking on an extensive UK and Ireland tour in 2023.
Harriet Thorpe (best known for her role as Carole Parkinson in The Brittas Empire and Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous) will join the star-studded ensemble cast, alongside Laura Main (best known as Shelagh Turner in BBC One’s Call the Midwife), Diana Vickers (The X Factor star who has gone on to lead roles in many theatre productions including Dial M For Murder and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice) and Lucy Speed (known for her television roles on EastEnders and The Bill, and as a new cast member on BBC Radio 4’s The Archers). Completing the cast are Caroline Harker (A Touch of Frost) and Elizabeth Ayodele (Playboy of the West Indies).
The show, directed by Anthony Banks (Mrs Warren’s Profession, Tour, Girl on the Train, West End, Dial M for Murder, National tour), will begin its tour on 19 January at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre, travelling to over 20 venues and conclude on 22 July at the Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton.
Steel Magnolias, which was first performed off-Broadway in 1987, is the story of six women who come together once a week in a small-town beauty salon in the American South, and prove that female friendship conquers all. Faced with the highs and lows of love and life, and amongst the chaos of work, marriage and children, they unite to gossip, unwind and set the world to rights.
This stage production features an all-female cast who bring this very funny and touching story of friendship and the strength that women derive from one another beautifully to life on stage.
The creative team are; Laura Hopkins (Set Designer), Susan Kulkarni (Costume Designer), Richard Mawbey (Wig Designer), Howard Hudson (Lighting Designer), Ben and Max Ringham (Sound Designer).
This iconic comedy is the perfect ticket for every generation and proves that one hair appointment might just change your life.
‘STEEL MAGNOLIAS’ UK TOUR 2023
7 – 11 March
Palace Theatre, Southend
21 – 25 March
Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
28 March – 1 April
Wycombe Swan Theatre, High Wycombe
4 – 8 April
Curve Theatre, Leicester
11 – 15 April
Theatre Royal, Nottingham
18 – 22 April
New Theatre, Cardiff
25 – 29 April
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
2 – 6 May
Malvern Theatre
9 – 13 May
Northcott Theatre, Exeter
16 – 20 May
Milton Keynes Theatre
23 – 27 May
Everyman Playhouse, Liverpool
30 May – 3 June
Theatre Royal Glasgow
6 – 10 June
The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin
13 – 17 June
New Theatre, Hull
20 – 24 June
Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
4 – 8 July
Orchard Theatre, Dartford
11 – 15 July
Grand Theatre, Leeds
18 – 22 July
Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton
Harriet Thorpe, Lucy Speed and Diana Vickers perform until 1 April
Laura Main performs until 22 April
Twitter @MagnoliasPlay
Instagram @steelmagnoliasplay
Facebook Facebook.com/MagnoliasPlay
Harriet Thorpe (best known for her role as Carole Parkinson in The Brittas Empire and Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous) will join the star-studded ensemble cast, alongside Laura Main (best known as Shelagh Turner in BBC One’s Call the Midwife), Diana Vickers (The X Factor star who has gone on to lead roles in many theatre productions including Dial M For Murder and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice) and Lucy Speed (known for her television roles on EastEnders and The Bill, and as a new cast member on BBC Radio 4’s The Archers). Completing the cast are Caroline Harker (A Touch of Frost) and Elizabeth Ayodele (Playboy of the West Indies).
The show, directed by Anthony Banks (Mrs Warren’s Profession, Tour, Girl on the Train, West End, Dial M for Murder, National tour), will begin its tour on 19 January at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre, travelling to over 20 venues and conclude on 22 July at the Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton.
Steel Magnolias, which was first performed off-Broadway in 1987, is the story of six women who come together once a week in a small-town beauty salon in the American South, and prove that female friendship conquers all. Faced with the highs and lows of love and life, and amongst the chaos of work, marriage and children, they unite to gossip, unwind and set the world to rights.
This stage production features an all-female cast who bring this very funny and touching story of friendship and the strength that women derive from one another beautifully to life on stage.
The creative team are; Laura Hopkins (Set Designer), Susan Kulkarni (Costume Designer), Richard Mawbey (Wig Designer), Howard Hudson (Lighting Designer), Ben and Max Ringham (Sound Designer).
This iconic comedy is the perfect ticket for every generation and proves that one hair appointment might just change your life.
‘STEEL MAGNOLIAS’ UK TOUR 2023
7 – 11 March
Palace Theatre, Southend
21 – 25 March
Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
28 March – 1 April
Wycombe Swan Theatre, High Wycombe
4 – 8 April
Curve Theatre, Leicester
11 – 15 April
Theatre Royal, Nottingham
18 – 22 April
New Theatre, Cardiff
25 – 29 April
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
2 – 6 May
Malvern Theatre
9 – 13 May
Northcott Theatre, Exeter
16 – 20 May
Milton Keynes Theatre
23 – 27 May
Everyman Playhouse, Liverpool
30 May – 3 June
Theatre Royal Glasgow
6 – 10 June
The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin
13 – 17 June
New Theatre, Hull
20 – 24 June
Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
4 – 8 July
Orchard Theatre, Dartford
11 – 15 July
Grand Theatre, Leeds
18 – 22 July
Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton
Harriet Thorpe, Lucy Speed and Diana Vickers perform until 1 April
Laura Main performs until 22 April
Twitter @MagnoliasPlay
Instagram @steelmagnoliasplay
Facebook Facebook.com/MagnoliasPlay
