Brisbane review - Steel Magnolias: deeply moving theatrical experience
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
By David Wilson
Steel Magnolias
Written by Robert Harling
Directed by Lee Lewis
Set and Costume Design by Simone Romaniuk
Lighting Design by Paul Jackson
Composition and Sound Design by Brady Watkins
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Brisbane
Playhouse Theatre until 10 May 2026
Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including 20 minute interval)
Tickets available from $79
https://qpac.n.qtix.com.au/tickets/series/steelmagnolias26
First performed Off-Broadway in 1987 before transferring to Broadway, Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling has long held its place as one of the most beloved plays in the modern theatrical canon. Inspired by real events in Harling’s own life, the play quickly resonated with audiences for its deeply human storytelling, winning critical acclaim and later achieving even broader recognition through the enormously successful 1989 film adaptation starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts.
Decades on, its enduring appeal lies in its ability to balance humour and heartbreak with extraordinary precision.
Set in a small-town Louisiana beauty salon, the play unfolds across a series of scenes that chart the lives, loves and losses of six women whose bonds are as resilient as they are unbreakable. What begins as a snapshot of everyday life — filled with gossip, wit and warmth — gradually deepens into a profoundly moving exploration of friendship, resilience and the strength required to navigate life’s most challenging moments.
At the heart of the story is Truvy Jones (Mandy Bishop), the warm, quick-witted owner of the salon, whose chair serves as both a workplace and a sanctuary. With an endless supply of hairspray and homespun wisdom, she presides over the group with humour and generosity. Annelle Dupuy-Desoto (Lotte Beckett), her anxious and uncertain new assistant, arrives with a mysterious past and undergoes one of the play’s most striking transformations, evolving from nervous outsider to someone quietly grounded in her own convictions.
M’Lynn Eatenton (Lisa McCune) is the emotional anchor of the group — practical, composed and fiercely devoted to her daughter Shelby (Jessica Redmayne), whose underlying health struggles form the emotional backbone of the narrative. Shelby herself is spirited, strong-willed and determined to live life on her own terms, bringing abundant vitality to the story. Completing the ensemble are Clairee Belcher (Debra Lawrance), the elegant and sharp-tongued widow with a perfectly timed quip for every occasion, and Ouiser Boudreaux (Belinda Giblin), the irascible, gloriously cantankerous neighbour whose barbed humour masks a deeply felt loyalty to those around her.
What unfolds between these six women is nothing short of extraordinary. The performers are individually brilliant, collectively magnificent — six actresses at the peak of their powers, none vying for the spotlight to shine more brightly for them, instead creating a cohesive, beautifully balanced ensemble. The interplay between them feels utterly authentic, capturing both the ease and the complexity of long-standing friendships with remarkable clarity.
Harling’s script remains as sharp as ever — totally hilarious and at the same time deeply meaningful and moving. The dialogue sparkles with wit and precision, while beneath the laughter lies an exploration of grief, mortality, community and the quiet heroism of everyday life. The work perfectly captures a specific point in time, yet the spirit of the piece is in no way dated and feels entirely relevant in today’s world.
The direction of Lee Lewis ensures that the tonal balance is handled with great care, allowing the comedy to land regularly and effortlessly while never undercutting the emotional weight of the story. Touching, heartwarming, side-splittingly funny and heart-wrenching in equal measure. The pacing is expertly judged, building steadily towards a final act that is both devastating and cathartic, executed so beautifully that there was barely a dry eye in the audience. The rousing standing ovation on opening night was lengthy and entirely well deserved.
Visually, the production is equally impressive. Perfectly complementing the wonderful costuming, the set by Simone Romaniuk is brilliant, evoking the intimacy and familiarity of Truvy’s salon with meticulous detail, creating a lived-in space that immediately draws the audience into the world of the play. It becomes more than just a setting — it is a character in its own right, a constant comfort through the changing lives of the women who gather within it.
Ultimately, this production of Steel Magnolias is a masterclass in ensemble performance and storytelling. A sharp script, wonderfully directed and brilliantly delivered, it captures the full emotional spectrum of Harling’s writing with grace and authenticity. It is theatre that is as entertaining as it is affecting — a celebration of friendship, resilience and the quiet strength found in community.
I thoroughly recommend this truly memorable and deeply moving theatrical experience.
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