Steel Magnolias By Robert Harling At Sheffield Lyceum Review

Reviewed by Lindsay Burton

Follow the trials and tribulations of six fierce and sassy women as they set the world to rights in their small-town bustling beauty salon. Unwind with a fabulous cast, including Laura Main (Call the Midwife), Lucy Speed (The Archers, The Bill), Harriet Thorpe (Absolutely Fabulous, The Brittas Empire), and Diana Vickers (The X-Factor, Dial M For Murder, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice) as they set up shop in this raucous classic, comedy masterpiece.

The film is a film adaptation of Robert Harling’s 1987 play of the same name about the bond a group of women share in a small-town Southern community, and how they cope with the death of one of their own.

The story begins when Truvy Jones (Lucy Speed), a home-based beauty salon owner, hires shy Annelle Dupuy, an elegant beauty school graduate, to work in her salon in Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana.

A wedding is in the works for Shelby (Diana Vickers) later in the day, and M’Lynn Eatenton (Laura Main) is preparing for it. As they wait for their hair appointment at Truvy’s, they are accompanied by Clairee Belcher (Caroline Harker), the widow of the former mayor. While there, Shelby, who has Type 1 diabetes, suffers a hypoglycaemic attack, but recovers quickly with the women’s help. M’Lynn reveals that Shelby’s doctor advises that she does not have children because of Shelby’s medical condition. Shelby even considered ending their relationship in order to protect her fiancée Jackson,
Upon entering the salon, Louisa “Ouiser” Boudreaux (Harriet Thorpe) starts interviewing Annelle about her background. Then Annelle reveals that Bunkie, her no-good husband, has taken all their money, clothes and jewellery, and even the car. Annelle further admits she is unsure her marriage is legal. Sympathetic Shelby invites Annelle to the wedding reception where she meets bartender Sammy DeSoto. Soon after, Annelle, following a short-lived wild streak, becomes deeply religious, annoying everyone, including Sammy.

The heart-warming story about these incredibly strong women in their tight knit community is filled with many laugh out loud moments. I watched the film many years ago although my guest did not an even though she still enjoyed it, I think it would have meant more to her had she also watched the film. The actresses did a crazy accurate retelling of the iconic film with the same name, for me personally, Harriet Thorpe and Caroline Harker smashed their roles of Louisa Boudreaux and Clairee Belcher respectively.

I really wanted to mention the set and costume design by Laura Hopkins and Susan Kulkarni. It was my first ever experience of the stage not changing much for the entire duration of the show but it worked very well and came together perfectly for the adaptation of the 1987 film with the same name.

Rating: I rate this show as 4 out of 5. Maybe watching the movie prior to watching the show allowed it to mean more to me but it most definitely is not a requirement to allow one to enjoy it. The story plays out beautifully and would be enjoyed either way.

Steel Magnolias is currently on their UK and Ireland tour so make sure to check the website here for a chance to enjoy the show in a theatre near you.

Tickets start from £15.

Currently on at Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield until the 4th February.