Steel Magnolias
Wednesday, November 24, 2004 - Abbey Lane Premises
The next production to be performed in the Abbey Lane Theatre will be Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling.
Many of you will be familiar with the film version of the play starring Julia Roberts and Dolly Parton among others but this stage version is quite different (no men for a start!) and the intimacy engendered in our little theatre will enhance the special qualities of the characters making them truly touching, funny and marvellously amiable company in good times and bad.
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 (Marilyn Whyte), the outspoken, wisecracking Truvy (Margery Quinn) dispenses shampoos and free advice to the towns's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser (Una Boylan) an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee (Madeline Kelly) the ex mayor's widow; and the local social leader, M'Lynn (Bridie Heaney), whose daughter Shelby (Laura Crilly) "the prettiest girl in town" is about to marry a "good ole boy". Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions the play builds to a conclusion that is deeply moving.
Co-produced by Sandra Armstrong and Tim Hanna this production has been eagerly awaited and is likely to be yet another box office hit!
