Steel Magnolias - NODA Review
Welcome to NODA Turnpike Community Theatre, celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year and amongst their programme Neil Gredecki directs Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, who based this on his sister’s fatal illness. The 1987 play was followed by the film two years later.
The action takes place in the salon of Truvy Jones in the small southern states town of Chinquapin, North Carolina.
The set had a door to the outside Upstage Centre with window Stage Left. The window had a busy pattered curtain with pelmet. Stage Left was a backwash with chair and in front of the window was a unit with towels. To Stage Left was an entrance into the back of the salon with slat type plastic curtain for easy exit and entrance. A barber style chair was Centre Stage. Stage Right was set a rattan two- seater with coffee table in front. Stage Right at the wall was filter coffee machine and cups on a hostess trolly. The walls’ the top had wall paper and the bottom was painted magnolia colour and a dado rail separates the two. A large rattan vase with pampas grass adorns the stage. Pictures on the walls Stage Right are of famous celebrity hairstyles and yes Farrah Fawcett was there. A pot hanging plant is Up Stage Left. Hairdressing trolley with rollers, etc and table Stage Left has hairdryer and hair salon accessories including Barbicide solution to sanitize the tools and the cutting capes hung up. The attention to detail was noted. Set Design was Richard Pilkington and Set Construction was Richard Pilkington and Jack Riley.
Lighting and Sound all added to the show including gunshots. Lead Technician Stuart Hill, Assistant Alan Boardman. Costumes were all appropriate - Costume by Neil Gredecki and cast.
Director Neil Gredecki directs the eight women in this story about gossip and friendship. The story is told over three years and starts with Shelby getting married and then her illness. The women bicker but boy do they have each other’s backs and thus unfolds the story of ‘steel’ in their determination but with the delicacy of a magnolia and the tree they argue about. There were a few first night nerves and uncertainty with lines but the cast got through it without a prompt. Which is a testimony to them. The set was well used and good tableaux created at the end of each scene. The cast worked well together and looked to be having fun with it. I appreciate not only having to direct but work out all the hairdressing movement too, not easy. Well done
Deborah Urmston was Truvy Jones the heart of the town with her salon. You got the feeling people would just drop in for a chat and not bother getting their hair done. Truvy takes on Annelle Dupuy-Desoto played by Lola Walch. It slowly comes out that she has left her no good husband. The women rally round her and she is soon part of the group going from shy to having an opinion and being part of the community of women. Almost a daughter to Truvy which came across.
Sue Slack as Clairee Belcher her friends dub ‘former 1st lady’ and don’t we know it. She says it like it is, almost like as a sport but would defend the women should anyone else take the rise out of them. Played with a twinkle in her eye as should be. Hannah Boardman as Ouiser Boudreaux and her problem dog: angry with world and apparently has been in a bad mood for 40 years. Great character and you could see her unwind with her new romance.
Julie Ratcliffe as M’Lynn Eatenton another strong woman but having to stand by and watch your daughter make decisions that would not necessarily be yours. Julie had some good facial expressions that belied what she was saying. There are no secrets in the salon and if you had one, these women would get it out of you. Julie’s speech about her last moments with her daughter was really good and a lovely connection to the story.
Last but not least was Jess Maloney as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie. Living life to the full and not afraid to take chances came through. We get to know a character and connect with them so when others talk about them in the past tense as an audience you have an investment in that character that’s how it should work. It doesn’t always but on this occasion, it really did and when her mum was talking about her it was as if you were there. Great accent, interaction with the rest of the cast and well-placed energy, Jess.
Thank you so much for the invite and hospitality from my guest Matthew and I. I look forward to your Pantomime.
Liz Hume-Dawson
District 5
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