Steel Magnolias At Richmond Theatre Review

Steel Magnolias is an absolutely brilliant production currently performing at Richmond Theatre. Based on the play by Robert Harling, it follows the trials and tribulations of six women as they meet at their small town beauty salon. It’s a tale of sisterhood, family, love, strength and resilience.

The cast was perfect. Laura Main, Harriet Thorpe, Diana Vickers, Lucy Speed, Caroline Harker and Elizabeth Ayodele. Their performances, the rhythm and flow, the witty dialogue had us laughing and crying. Most of the time the Louisiana accents were spot on, but occasionally the slip into British accents, and maybe the one to many hand clutching chest.

Laura Hopkins’ set is very simple with the whole play being set in the beauty salon: pine clad walls, swivel chairs and beauty products. Susan Kulkarni’s costumes transport you to the 1980s. As do Richard Mawbey and Craig Forrest-Thomas’ outstanding wigs. There was a couple of scene changes that could be tightened.

It’s one of the best productions we have seen in recent years. Grab your friends and family and head to Richmond. Hurry as it’s only on at Richmond Theatre until Saturday 28th January. It will then go on a UK tour including Sheffield, Birmingham, Bath, Cardiff, Glasgow and Dublin and many more. For tour details please see the official website.

Tickets at Richmond Theatre start at £13 plus booking fee.

For Steel Magnolias:

Website: https://steelmagnoliasplay.co.uk

Instagram: https://instagram.com/steelmagnoliasplay

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/MagnoliasPlay

Twitter: https://twitter.com/magnoliasplay

For Richmond Theatre

Address: Richmond theatre, 1 Little Green, TW9 1QH.

Telephone: 0844 871 7615

Website: https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/richmondtheatre

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/RichmondTheatre