LCB Players review

Steel Magnolias

LCB Players

Shepherds Theatre

When it comes to theatre or film I have ridiculously broad taste.

Drama, comedy, artsy, loud, peaceful, offensive, romantic ...it really makes no difference to me. I like what I like.

But I have always avoided either the stage or big-screen version of 'Steel Magnolias.' It always struck me as, to be blunt, something my mum would watch on a weekday afternoon.

The synopsis presented it as, to be brutally honest, worryingly mawkish. "Best friends cope with loss and share laughter." Oh dear.

What I'm trying to say is, the Players had to do a lot to win me over.

But win me over they did, with a combination of warm comedy and acting which packed an emotional punch.

The small audience seemed appreciative too.

The cast allowed you to feel some sympathy for their characters and also laugh along with them.

Larger than life beauty shop owner, Truvy, was brought to life by Lyn Ford. Natalie Smith convinced as born again Christian, Annelle.

Elsie Wright handled the part of down-to-earth Clairee well, with Elisabeth Doust providing the comic relief as the grumpy and cynical Ouiser.

The bittersweet element of the story was wonderfully handled by Jac Young as Shelby, and Jenny Taylor as M'Lynn.

Some of the cast did struggle to pull off the Deep South accent used in the Louisiana based play.

Perhaps the piece would've been better served if everybody kept their English voices, rather than going for that tricky American drawl.

It took a good half-an-hour to get used to the mixed bag of vocal tones.

That aside, it was possible to sit down to an enjoyable performance played out by an enthusiastic cast.

It must be a tricky play to take on and directors Lyn Ford and Elsie Wright should be well pleased.