Steel Magnolias

Synopsis

A warm-hearted comedy set in a beauty parlour in the American deep South. The action is set in Truvy's beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are "anybody" come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, ("I'm not crazy, I've just been in a bad mood for 40 years"); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M'Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a "good ole boy." Robert Harling's play began as a short story about the death of his diabetic sister following childbirth, before it evolved into a play. Harling was a model and an actor at the time. The off-Broadway WPA Theatre first produced the work, before, following revisions by Harling, it moved to Broadway, opening June 19, 1987, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, and running for 1,126 performances. Steel Magnolias made its way to the big screen in 1989, featuring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts. The film version expanded the story to include the men who are only alluded to in the stage version. The close-knit circle of women at Truvy's Beauty Salon, the unofficial hub of Chinquapin, have lots of time to gossip. Their husbands - absent, depressed or dead - have made sure of that. Consequently, visitors to the salon get more than a wash and a cut. Alternately hilarious and touching, the play focuses on the camaraderie of these six Southern women who talk, gab, gossip, chitchat, needle and harangue each other through the best of times - and cry, caress, comfort and repair one another through the worst. They are soul mates in a rarefied way that assumes a cult of femininity - sisters come hell and high water. The women at Truvy's beauty parlour are the steel magnolias of the title: Southern belles, flowery on the outside, but strong enough inside to survive any challenge, many of which are presented throughout the course of the narrative.

Our Review:

Veronica Crowley - 4 June 2012

Steel Magnolias was written by Robert Harling as a play in the 1980’s following the tragic death of his diabetic sister. It is no wonder, therefore, that the depth of feelings revealed touches the soul, as it is undoubtedly a cathartic and clever piece of writing. Although perhaps better known as a film, which was released in 1989, the stage production is somehow more intimate, almost as if you are in the parlour waiting to have your hair done and listening in to other peoples’ conversations.

The play in the first instance appears as a light, gossipy piece of trivia. It is set throughout in ‘Truvy’s’ hair and beauty parlour in Deep South Louisiana in typical 80’s style. Six women share their fears, loves, hates, aspirations and grief, demonstrating the true power of sisterhood. The big backcombed hair, frizzy perms, batwing fashion and southern drawl all add to the atmosphere as you are transported through two years of ...

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Latest User Review

Gill Marsh - 12 June 2012:

Performances were really good, but got bored of the set and the long periods with curtains closed was very odd..........

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