The all-female comedy-drama Steel Magnolias comes to the Birmingham stage in a raucous and poignant new production.

The heartwarming show about female bonding is currently playing at The Alexandra Theatre.

The play – which first premiered in New York in 1987 – was adapted into a celebrated Hollywood film version starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts.

The play boasts an all-female cast that celebrates the spirit of womenPamela Raith
The play boasts an all-female cast that celebrates the spirit of women

The emotionally gripping play by Robert Harling was partly inspired by the writer’s sister who battled with diabetes in a small town in Louisiana.

The angry, funny and sad story at the heart of Steel Magnolias explores the lives and friendships of six strong and loyal middle-aged women as their lives criss-cross at a beauty salon.

The stories of the women, and their experiences and voices, weave a bittersweet melody that conveys both sparkling joy and heartbreaking tragedy as the characters chat and discuss their dreams, desires and outlooks.

This fearless band of sisters dares to give voice to intimate topics that are all too often censored by polite society.

Despite the sadness in their lives the women find joy through their friendshipPamela Raith
Despite the sadness in their lives the women find joy through their friendship

For the material at the centre of the play to strike the hearts and minds of the audience the cast needs three core threads: authentic and natural camaraderie, convincing southern accents, and a balance between the grief and laughter.

The cast in this Trafalgar Theatre Productions gel together beautifully, each member of the crew knows exactly how to pitch and play the various elements of the material, and their vocal deliveries bounce along melodiously with southern drawls.

Laura Main (from the hugely popular BBC show Call the Midwife), Diana Vickers (The X-Factor), Elizabeth Ayodele ((Playboy of the West Indies), Lucy Speed (Shakespeare in Love, The Archers) Claire Carpenter (The BFG – West End Tour) are superb in their roles, and their warmth and repartee is natural which adds a dynamic realism to the unfolding comedy and drama.

The single set becomes the landscape of drama and comedyPamela Raith
The single set becomes the landscape of drama and comedy

Set designer Laura Hopkins ensures the women have a stage set that immediately transports the audience into the world of the characters. The whole play revolves around a women-only salon called Truvy’s Beauty Spot which becomes a microcosm of emotions and experiences of the women as they interact and share their innermost thoughts with each other.

Director Anthony Banks throws the spotlight on the women and discards anything that might distract from their voices. There is no male toxicity here, no male bravado or machismo, and no misogyny. This is a play that highlights the strength and resilience of women.

At a time when women are trying desperately to have their voices heard in this polarised world, this daring play provides a powerful platform for realistically drawn female characters to share their stories.

Steel Magnolias is a beautiful celebration of the power, grace and miracle of women.

VERDICT: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Steel Magnolias is now playing at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until Saturday 25 March

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