Oh, honey. Time marches on. And eventually you realise it's marching across your face".
That might not be the way your beautician would respond to your newly-discovered crow's feet, but it's typical of what you'd expect in Truvy's Beauty Salon in Detour Theatre's production of Steel Magnolias.
There might beplenty of put-downs and sarcasm but it's always with a twinkle in the eye and a wicked smile. After all, how else could you deliver such wisdom as, "What separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorise", and, "If you have something bad to say about somebody ... come sit by me!" The play certainly lacks none of the humour, charm and drama of the popular 1989 movie that boasted stars such as Sally Fields, Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts.
Full of life and brimming with laughter, this smash hit comedy is a warm and witty tribute to the power of friendship. In a quaint Louisiana town, the local beauty parlour serves as the gathering spot for a group of eccentric women to gossip and giggle and survive the hardships and splendours of life.
Alternately hilarious and touching and, in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which underlies the antic banter of its characters.
Director Kim Williamson loves the play: "It has everything."
Detour's production boasts a quality cast of local actors with Sarah Oemeke playing beauty shop owner Truvy, Susi Jansen as her stoic neighbour M'Lynn, Geraldine Broderick as the smart-alecky Clairee, Maggie Kelly as the feisty Ouiser, Mikayla Williamson as the adorable Annelle and rounding out the cast is newcomer Mikayla Morgan as the irrepressible Shelby.
Steel Magnolias Detour Theatre June 17-July 4 Bookings Baycourt or www.ticketdirect.co.nz Info www.detour.co.nz
