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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Laughter and sorrow in the salon Steel Magnolias
Highbury Theatre Centre
**** WHEN it comes to writing there is no
better reference than personal experience and reality. Steel Magnolias
came to be as direct result of author Robert Harling suffering the death
of his sister, Susan in 1986. The film version was criticised for its Hollywood
take rather than its Southern Comfort yet it went on to win two academy
awards, grossing to date around 140 million dollars. The story follows the trials and tribulations of
a group of ` Southern Belles ' who share their lives experiences and
tales all in the setting of the local hair salon. Truvy Jones is the owner of the salon and things
begin when she takes on ` out of towner’ Annelle who although pleasant
is hiding a troubled past. Enter Clairee a widow and former political
socialite who wise cracks her way through adversity. Next appointment is
Shelby, the soon to be married young girl, who represents the fated path
of Robert Harling’s real sister. Then there is her mother M’Lynne concerned over
her daughters failing health yet powerless to change her life decisions.
Finally we have Ouiser, another widow, a sturdy old character, who
blusters in to complete the group. It’s a complex play to get right as many of the
wise cracks need a specific timing and the transition from shock to awe
back to laughter requires some precision and at times the players
struggled to achieve this. However it seemed once the entourage was complete
for the first time on stage, everyone seemed to settle into their roles
.By the second act things were flowing much better, although maintaining
the southern twang sometimes got in the way of diction and few of the
jokes were lost.
Emma Woodcock seemed most comfortable as the
blond Truvy and with Annelle played by Karrise Willetts they both
managed, the not too easy task of, actually doing hair whilst performing
their lines. Gwen Evans, a regular at Highbury, played the
widow Clairee and the ` put upon older wife’ is the type of role she
always seems fit nicely into. Gina Martin played Ouiser and her
confident entrance as the final member of the group seemed crucial in
calming everyone down on stage. Aimee Horner was Shelby and having not
seen her at Highbury before thought she handled the part exceptionally
well. It is perhaps fitting that final comment is of Laura Chinn who had
the lofty task of delivering the heart wrenching summary of her
daughter’s death and she did not hold back in stunning the theatre with
her committed emotional tears. The play is directed by Alison Cahill and
features a great set by Malcolm Robertshaw. Although not perfect, I am pretty sure that as
the run goes on the company will grasp some of the finer subtleties and
timings of this comical but emotional play as it features a strong all
female cast that definitely have great potential. To 05-04-14. Jeff Grant |
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