Along with how the women cope with their conflicts while remaining friends, the plot covers events that relate to Shelby’s health and the risk of pregnancy.
“The author, Robert Harling, wrote the play as a result of something that happened with his sister so it’s true to life, funny and moving.
“Steel Magnolias is an ensemble piece. Each scene is a revelation around an important day in Shelby and M’Lynn’s life; the mother-daughter relationship and how their lives change and grow.”
An ensemble work has no main character but a small group of people instead of the traditional hero.
The only male in the play is the voice on the radio that announces each scene.
“The radio plays a strong role in the play and becomes a bit of a character itself,” says Boyce.
“Friendships, relationships between the women — they all have husbands and partners who are mentioned in the play, and this bonds the women who gather in the salon.”
The women of Chinquapin Parish enjoy being nice to each other, says one character.
“There’s not much else to do in this town.”
“There’s a lot of joking and caring for one another,” says Boyce.
“There are great one-liners and come-backs but there’s nothing vindictive. There’s gossip but nothing horrendous.”
The play’s title points to the women’s strength.
“Magnolias are the ultimate Southern flower. When they bloom they have beautiful, beautiful flowers but they’re delicate and bruise easily.
“The ‘steel’ in the title means they don’t break. The characters are polite, sweet Southern women but tough underneath. They have to be.
“This is a play of light and dark moments; laughter and tears — often at the same time.”
