04 Mar 2024
Deborah Heath is at the Abbey Theatre for an all-women production by the Company of Ten…
“There is no such thing as natural beauty…and that is why I have never lost a client.”
‘Steel Magnolias’, the stage play that preceded the 1989 film starring Julia Roberts, is given a two-week run at the Abbey Theatre. Written by Robert Harding in response to his own personal family experience, this is a funny and poignant tale about the lives of six women in the small Louisiana town of Chinquapin Parish.
Every Saturday, they gather in hair stylist Truvy’s salon which is quickly established as the heart of the community. We go on an emotional rollercoaster of a journey with these women through the course of the play and are rewarded with recognisable characters, giggles and even a few tears.
In what is still a male-role dominated industry, I was very happy to be watching a play with an all-woman cast. Director Jenny Kilcast had selected a group of particularly talented actors for the job and must have been delighted with the way that had clearly bonded off-set to give such a tight performance as a group of friends.
The play got off to an extremely strong start, opening with kind but confident salon owner Truvy, (Victoria Lenza) interviewing hesitant Annelle (Sarah Hudson) for a job as her new stylist.
Both actors played their roles with power and sustained brilliant accents throughout. They were an absolute pleasure to watch – what perfect casting on Jenny Kilcast’s part.
I was delighted to see Beccy Baird and Tina Swain on stage in this production, having admired their directorial work in the past. Beccy Baird had a difficult character to play in M’Lynn, which is largely a responsive role. She did a great job of showing M’Lynn’s passion as a mother and this drove a super performance: “Most mothers only get to give their child life once, I get to do it twice.”
Tina Swain, in the comedy part of bad-tempered neighbour Ouisa, brought great energy to the stage. “I’m not crazy – I’ve just been in a very bad mood for 40 years!”
I loved her physicality and the way she commanded Ouisa’s no-nonsense attitude.
A favourite moment was when she cut straight to the chase, asking shy Annelle about her background, whilst the other characters had tiptoed around the issue.
Suzanne Brower had a great handle on the character of Clairee who I think everyone in the audience would like to have as a friend, and I am sure that Suzanne was as solid a rock for her fellow cast members as Clairee was for the women in the salon.
Central character Shelby was played with skill by CoT newcomer Yvonne Grundy and I will be delighted to watch her future work. She responded well to the highs and lows of the Shelbys’ story as it develops.
Once again, designer Gill Owen’s magic wand had been waved over a blank stage to create a breathtaking set. Her construction team had even installed ceiling fans which was a lovely touch – many sets stop somewhere vaguely above the door frames!
Company of Ten have a great attention to detail, not just to the set but also props (Nicki Marriot and Debbie Hall) and costumes (Jenny Whitlock), both absolutely correct for the late 1980s, including Truvy’s leggings collection and the salon magazines.
During the poignant final scene, you could hear a pin drop in the auditorium – so involved had we become in the lives of these characters. This is testament to the superb direction and acting throughout.
Whether you know the film/ending or not, ‘Steel Magnolias’ is well worth watching in the last week of its run – it is a touching, beautifully produced and directed play in the hands of six superb actors.
