By Robert Harling 
 
Truvy Jones Llinos Davies
Annelle Dupuy-Desoto Zoë Goodacre
Clairee Belcher Helen Windsor
Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie Sarah Leigh
M’Lynn Eatenton Lorna Welch
Ouiser Boudreaux Janet Holloway
Radio DJ Nigel Holloway
   

 

Synopsis

The action centres on Truvy's beauty parlour in Chinquapin in Louisiana and the women who regularly gather there.

The drama begins on the morning of Shelby's wedding to Jackson Latcherie and covers events over the next three years, including Shelby's torment over her Type 1 diabetes and her desire to have children. Shelby’s relationship with her mother is prominent throughout the play as these strong willed women personify what Steel Magnolia are – women as beautiful as the State flower but with a backbone of steel.

There are also other friendships that blossom throughout the play:  the unlikely friendship between Clairee, the newly widowed wife of the Mayor, and Ouiser, the wealthy curmudgeon; the friendship between Annelle and Truvy which sees Annelle transform from the shy, anxious newcomer in town to the confident young woman filling the role left by Truvy’s wayward sons. Truvy’s role is pivotal, providing a welcoming environment free of men, where the ladies can discuss anything and everything, and where they give their opinions and support, without any need to be asked.