This textbook rendition of an eighties classic charms and engages even if it does not offer anything new.Rating
Good
Steel Magnolias is well-known, mainly through its much-loved film adaptation which starred several Hollywood luminaries: Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Shirley MacLaine, as well as Julia Roberts, who was largely unheard-of at the time. Originally, it was a play at the heart of which is an excellent piece of theatrical writing which remains a popular ensemble piece to this day, and for good reason. OSO Arts Centre’s new production shows that despite the iconic on-screen performances, the material works wonderfully in its original form.
Robert Harling’s writing is concise, carefully considered, and full of warmth. Within a single setting, he unfolds a gentle drama wrapped in the humour and sisterly friendship of a group of women in Chinquapin, in America’s Deep South. Built around four acts, it moves effortlessly between tones: at turns funny, warm, candid, revealing, honest, and ultimately devastatingly sad. Humour and heartbreak co-exist here without being sentimental or manipulative.
Unlike in the film, by fixing all the action in Truvy Jones’s beauty salon, the drama is beautifully economical, and the salon takes on the role of a safe and intimate space in which the women can truly be themselves. This production exploits this with a well-thought-out and hyper-realistic set by Ian Nicholas.
In terms of performances, I sense a real reliance on the famous on-screen portrayals. Whilst this gives the audience something comfortingly familiar and ensures that the performance works from the outset, it is something of a missed opportunity on the part of director Jason Moore to put his own stamp on the production.
That said, the overall standard of performances is consistently strong, with several standouts. Kate Harbour delivers an excellent portrayal of Truvy Jones from beginning to end, while Zoë Ann Bown really stood out as Clairee Belcher, with the best comic timing of the night (but also most of the best lines, to be fair). Robin Miller’s portrayal of Ouiser Boudreaux helps create a really satisfying story arc as we see her transform from grumpy neighbour to loving friend. The true success of this production lies in its ensemble work, however. No one appears to be grandstanding for attention; instead, the complex, often multi-layered dialogue flows flawlessly and is paced to perfection. This is a long play but in the hands of this cast it never feels so – they hold our attention until the very last word. The only difficulty is that it is evidently very challenging to keep those Deep South accents convincing throughout.
From a technical perspective too, the lighting seems overly bright and flat, working against the warmth of the writing and the set design. However, this production of Steel Magnolias succeeds because it is grounded in the great writing of Harling’s play and breathes life into it through sensitive performances. While it does not do anything radical, it remains an authentic rendition of the text and engages its audience accordingly, creating a fulfilling and enjoyable evening of theatre.
Directed by Jason Moore
Produced by Nova Skipp
Designed by Ian Nicholas
Originally written by Robert Harling
Steel Magnolias plays at the OSO Arts Centre, Barnes, until Saturday 18 April 2026
