Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, directed by Kathy Gent

A Steel Magnolia - a Southern woman who has infamous mystique. She is feminine, but not afraid to speak her mind; gracious, but in no way a pushover; complex and powerful but above all loving. Our Steel Magnolias give much more to others in the bonds of love and friendship as they meet regularly in Truvy’s beauty parlour, than they do to themselves.

The play was made popular by the 1989 movie version starring powerhouses Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah and Julia Roberts. Playwright Robert Harling based the play on his personal experience of the tragic loss of his sister, Susan Harling-Robinson following the birth of his namesake nephew. 

It is the interaction between our six women and the depth of their stories, the relationship between them that make this production something very special. There are moments of pure hilarity that are beautifully contrasted with the harsh realities of life and love.  

We would all be very fortunate indeed to have a group of girlfriends we can hang out with, laugh with, cry with, and discover ourselves with, as those portrayed in Steel Magnolias. Our world may be less sentimental than thirty years ago, but the importance of friendship and the bond of motherhood is undiminished.

Company Theatre is delighted to support the work of Diabetes Auckland.

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See our website www.companytheatre.co.nz for more details.