Whats On Production Steel Magnolias (2004)
8th September


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Steel Magnolias (2004)

Directed By
Jane Martin

Producer
Elaine Burns
Production Type
Nomads Production

Production Location
Main Theatre


Genre: Drama / Comedy Turnout: 39%

User Rating: (4.3/5 with 3 votes)

Flier Summary:

by Robert Harling

Shelby is getting married and all is excitement at Truvy's hair dressing salson. But what does the future hold for Shelby and her husband? How will Shelby's illness affect their life together? Taking place over three years, Steel Magnolias follows the ups and downs of six characters from Chinquapin parish, Louisiana. They come together to get their hair done but what is revealed is far more than sterotypical holiday chat.


Description:
I first saw the film of Steel Magnolias in the late 80s and remembered it fondly. I recall laughing and crying and thoroughly enjoying wallowing in a range of emotions. Therefore, when it was suggested that I might like to ... [more]


Production Dates & Prices:
(Please note Booking Information)

 Date
Time
Price
 
 Tuesday 16th March 2004
8:00pm
£8.00
 Wednesday 17th March 2004
8:00pm
£8.00
 Thursday 18th March 2004
8:00pm
£8.00
 Friday 19th March 2004
8:00pm
£8.00
 Saturday 20th March 2004
8:00pm
£8.00


Cast: (in programme order)
Sarah Phillpot ... Truvy
Jaime Davis ... Annelle
Brenda Brooks ... Clairee
Bernadette O'Sullivan ... Shelby
Pamela Deakin ... M'Lynn
Damien de Roche ... KPPD DJ

Crew: (in programme order)
Jane Martin ... Director
Elaine Burns ... Producer
Helen Longes ... Stage Manager
Jaime Davis ... Hair Consultant
Kate Tucker ... Hair Consultant
Charles Hope ... Lighting Designer
Charles Hope ... Lighting Operator
Tim Williams ... Sound Design
David Armitage ... Sound Operator
Rob Fee ... Stage Crew
Zoe Triantafillou ... Stage Crew
Gordon Hilliker ... Set Construction
Tracy Davis ... Set Construction
Rob Fee ... Set Construction
Tom Thomas ... Set Construction
David Payne ... Set Construction
David Remeo ... Set Construction
Rosemary Stevenson ... Publicity / Marketing
Phillip Griffith ... Poster and Programmes
Clive Mott ... Front of House Manager
Elaine Burns ... Prompt
Stuart Bangs ... Stage Crew


Act1:
Scene 1 April
Scene 2 December
Act2:
Scene 1 Summer 18 months later
Scene 2 November the following year


Official Review:
the review
The real gift in a play like Steel Magnolias is the brilliantly written characters. Although there is a plot (Shelby's wedding, subsequent pregnancy and health issues leading to her passing away) and a setting (a hair salon in Louisiana, which calls for two of the cast to be able to 'do' hair), the real joy of this play is the beautifully crafted interchanges between the six women. Alternately humorous and touching, the play reveals to us the secrets of these women's lives as they chat, advise, criticise and comfort one another. The challenge for a director is get beneath the story and the hairdressing and encourage the cast to examine the emotional connections and dialogues of the characters.

Sarah Phillpot as Truvy, the owner of the Salon, played this part with relish. Delivering her lines with impeccable comic timing, she pulled out the humour in this character whilst still enabling us to believe in her true compassion for the women who visit her shop. Pamela Deakin gave us an effectively reserved performance of M'lynn until her remarkable breakdown scene at the end of the play. Bernadette O'Sullivan balanced well the heroic strength of her character, Shelby, with the light-hearted warmth that surrounds a young woman embarking of the journey of marriage and motherhood. In her first major role Jaime Davis showed a fine transition from the twitchy and nervous, new-on-the-scene `glamour technician,' to a calm and confident born-again Christian. Brenda Brooks played the wonderfully eccentric Clariee, oversized and with great energy. Finally Lisa Arnold appropriately captured the essence of a woman who says about herself "I am not crazy. I've just been in a bad mood for 40 years."

The set was placed at and interesting angle, which could have caused sight line issues but didn't appear to from where I was sitting. It was dressed effectively to give the feel of a salon, even if when dropped, you could tell the bottles were empty. The imaginary wall of mirrors was well implied by the actors. It must be difficult to set drama in a predominantly static environment but the movement flowed well. The pace was a little slow at times in the first act and it is always a shame to hear actors take prompts. However, there wasn't one star in this show, there were six. I couldn't help but feel that the camaraderie between these characters reflected the team work and effort of the cast and director, Jane Martin.


Related News:
Jun 2004 Thank you from Steel Magnolias
Dec 2003 Steel Magnolias Auditions


Recommendations:
Steel Magnolias - A Play
Steel Magnolias [1989]
Steel Magnolias [1989]


User Reviews:
A really great show!
20th March 2004
Reviewer: Francis Pindar
I haven't laughed or cried as much in ages. A really great show, well done everyone!
 

Sponsors:
Bell and Colvill Saab
Curchods
F. Conissbee & Son
Guildford College Hair and Beauty
Haircontacts
Hairways Hair and Beauty Ltd
Horsley Dental Practice
MJ Noyes Ltd - Electrical Contractors
Spanna Ristorante Pizzeria Italiano
TW White & Sons
West Horsley Motor Works Ltd


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