Hold on to your curlers, it’s time for a blast from the past. Steel Magnolias has arrived in Perth for a limited season bringing with it bouffant hair, juicy neighbourhood gossip and heartfelt emotion.
You would think that a play that originated from the 1980s might come across outdated. Steel Magnolias manages to navigate this so that we had maximum nostalgia and minimum cringe. Yes we had the kitschy decor which comes across as adorably retro and makes you wish you could join in on the fun. There are also references to conservative attitudes (like the scandal of an affair) but these are brief mentions, rather than the foundation of the narrative.
Which brings me to the crux of the matter – Steel Magnolias doesn’t feel dated because of its universally relatable storyline. It is an ode to friendships forged over hours of hairstyling and confidences, friendships that overcome personal quirks and trying circumstances.
The glue of the group is Truvy, the owner of Truvy’s Salon who has a sympathetic ear for all her customers. Truvy hires and eventually quasi-adopts Annelle, a recent arrival to Chinquapin who is in dire straits. Then there’s Clairee, the parish’s stateswoman, a widow of the former mayor, who maintains a dignified air in her demeanour. Ouiser is the town grouch – but who wouldn’t be grumpy when your neighbour is sending your beloved dog spiralling into a nervous breakdown from the constant gunshots? And rounding up the group are mother-daughter duo, M’Lynn and Shelby… whose husband/father Drum is the bane of Ouiser’s existence.
This colourful bunch of characters is well-supported by a steady cast, all with melodic Southern drawls pinned perfectly. Perth locals will be delighted that Lisa McCune is gracing the stage but she is joined by seasoned colleagues Belinda Giblin, Tracy Mann and Mandy Bishop. There is a great dynamic among the cast; there seems to be genuine camaraderie there and warmth which easily invites the audience onside.
Jessica Redmayne was a standout as the naively optimistic and headstrong Shelby. Shelby is diabetic but determined to live a life of sunshine and rainbows. Redmayne had me so convinced of Shelby’s joie de vivre that I’d have her on speed dial as my personal cheerleader if I could.
McCune also excels as M’Lynn, Shelby’s mother. She carries the restrained deportment of a woman who has spent her life bracing herself to catch her daughter’s stumbles. Consequently, McCune’s M’Lynn reads more like an observer of festivities, rather than a participant.
Lotte Beckett handled Annelle’s arc with finesse, debuting onstage as an unsure out-of-towner. Without the audience realising it, Beckett modifies her character’s mannerisms ever so slightly as the play progresses. Consequently, we see Annelle naturally blossom into a self-confident woman, buoyed by the promise of a new life ahead.
One of the actresses (who will remain unnamed to minimise spoilers), was phenomenal in the final act. She conveyed the waves of grief so effectively – from the displaced, stone-faced retelling of the traumatic event to the self-blame, the devastation and the frustration of having to encounter such senselessness. It was a performance that anyone who has experienced similar grief could relate to. It was an education to those who have been lucky to not encounter it thus far.
Aside from the impeccable casting, the play does well to keep the same set (albeit with seasonal changes) throughout the production. Unlike the movie, which cycles through scenes in different locations with supporting characters, the play is set entirely in Truvy’s Salon. Yet it never feels boring because we feel like we are part of the ladies’ secret club. This only magnifies the core theme of friendship by taking away distractions.
Additionally, the set itself is rich with side suggestions. Characters disappear briefly to go to the shampoo room or to other parts of the house, so the characters don’t feel artificially contained in a fishbowl. It also mimics the natural flow of a salon, with customers dropping in and out.
And I am grateful to be a customer of Truvy’s for the evening. Steel Magnolias reminded me of the beauty of having girlfriends who have been through so many chapters of life with me – from my single girl days to my harried mother era. The adaptability and resilience of female friendships are assets to be treasured. What better way to celebrate than with a story that has endured in our collective memories; one that is iconic for its successful transition from stage to screen, and whose message remains relevant nearly forty years later.
Steel Magnolias is playing at His Majesty’s Theatre until 18th July.