People with fond memories of the 1989 film of Steel Magnolias, starring Julia Roberts, may be apprehensive about seeing the play of the same name, currently showing every Thursday night at the De Valence Theatre. They need have no worries! Tenby Players are putting on a show that is absorbing, amusing, and thoroughly entertaining.
"This is women's territory" says one of the characters, and there can't be much argument about that. All six of the characters are women, and the play is set in a beauty parlour (or should I spell that parlor?) in Chinquapin, a small town in the Deep South of the United States of America. Men only appear in the hilarious anecdotes, and are generally pictured as either mad or sad - or a mixture of the two!
For women members of the audience it is no doubt confirmation that they are the superior sex in terms of the ability to relate to other human beings. For men, the plays allows us to eavesdrop on dialogue that shows we are the poor relations when it comes to social networking and the ability to support each other in times of trouble.
Strange then that the play is written by a man, Robert Harling, and that this production is directed by a man, David Owen. They must both be well in touch with their feminine sides!
David does an excellent job, bringing out what appear to be very naturalistic performances from his cast, and ensuring that we don't miss any of either the comedy or the drama. It resulted for me in one of the few occasions in the theatre when I have been almost moved to tears. (Being a man, I can't admit to actual tears of course, but I can tell you it was really close).
The drama revolves around the proprietor of the most successful beauty parlour in Chinquapin, who proclaims "there is no such thing as natural beauty." Whilst her difficult and demanding customers rush in and out, she stands firm as the rock they can cling to when needed. This part is played with a calm authoritative manner by Anne Phillips. Anne is on stage for most of the play, and is wholly convincing as the honest sincere woman who steadfastly supports her couch-potato husband and, more importantly, her friends.
Miranda Davies has the interesting challenge of playing a meek and mild character who doesn't have much to say. This is Annelle, the newly-recruited trainee hairdresser, who nervously says "....and my being married to a dangerous criminal doesn't affect my ability to do good hair!" Miranda manages the challenge with aplomb, and she proceeds smoothly over the course of the play to develop into a more assertive character who takes up praying "at the drop of a hat."
Jocelyn Bates plays Clairee, the part played in the film by Olympia Dukakis, probably one of the best character actresses in Hollywood. Jocelyn, of course, is one of Tenby's finest character actresses, and I would venture to suggest that if she'd chosen acting rather than farming as a career, she would have made it Olympia-style big time. Clairee is the former First Lady of Chinquapin, recently widowed, and looking for something to do for the rest of her life. Jocelyn clearly relishes playing such a flamboyant character, and does it very well.
The Julia Roberts part, the young Shelby, is taken in this production by Tessa French. She is the excuse in the plot for the tears, and has to be assertive but also a little fragile. Julia Roberts, I thought, was too robust for the part, whilst Tessa combines waif-like charms with a fractious 'edge.' Her interpretation succeeds in drawing out many of the contradictions in this complex character, and in my view is better than the celluloid version, notwithstanding the Oscar nomination. (On the opening night, because Tessa was actually unwell, the part was taken by Vicky Hemingway, who showed that she has all the qualities required of a professional actress).
The difficult role of Shelby's mother, M'Lynn, is well-handled by Liz Storey. It is a part that could lead the play into hysterical melodrama, but Liz is straight and sensible. Her long speeches in the final scene are thought-provoking and absorbing rather than mawkish, and provide a fine moving climax to the production.
Jane Perry takes the role of eccentric Ouiser, the part played by Shirley MacLaine in the film. She insists that she "is not crazy, just been in a bad mood for 40 years," and is very disparaging men - she refers to one former lover as having "the longest nasal hair in Christendom." Jane tackles this demanding part with gusto, and manages the character's mood swings with flair.
Much credit must go to the backstage team, led by Stage Manager Rhob Pattinson, who have created an impressive set, complete with warm running water in one of the washbasins. And they have to take the whole thing down and put it up again every Thursday night for eight weeks! Credit then to Alec James, Clive Raymond, Gareth Morris, Charlie Swind, Ceri Morris, and the omnipresent David Owen. The stalwart John Griffiths organises the Front-of-House volunteers.
The play continues every Thursday night at 8 pm at the De Valence until the end of September. This is a rare treat for Tenby residents and visitors. Don't miss it.