First produced in New York in 1987, Steel Magnolias is both hilarious and touching. 

Set in a beauty parlour in Louisiana, the play looks into the lives of six women.

Through four scenes spanning three years, Clairee, Ouiser, M’Lynn and Shelby – Truvy’s regular customers – and Annelle, her eager but inexperienced assistant, engage in small town gossip, running the gamut of the birth/marriage/death cycle.

The play moves towards tragedy when Shelby – a diabetic – has to have a kidney transplant following the birth of her son, and the deep strength and purposefulness underlying the banter of the characters is ultimately revealed.

“I just held Shelby’s hand … Oh god. I realise as a woman how lucky I am. I was there when that wonderful creature drifted into my life and I was there when she drifted out …” – M’Lynn