Steel Magnolias at Don Russell Performing Arts Centre

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Posted 2021-02-19 by groover ⇒ follow

Fri 12 Mar 2021 - Sat 20 Mar 2021

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions that are both heart-warming and hilarious – while also tinged with bittersweet tragedy. Steel Magnolias is the latest offering from Laughing Horse Productions at the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre.

Written by Robert Harling and directed by Adam Salathiel, the play is set in a Louisiana beauty salon where six remarkable women learn to draw upon their underlying strength and love to meet the challenges of life.

Harling was inspired to write his first play after his sister Susan died of complications from diabetes and it was later adapted into the 1989 film starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts. The play's title suggests the main female characters can be both as delicate as the magnolia flower and as tough as steel."It's a classic story, both as a live theatre production and the popular Hollywood movie," Adam said. "People might be expecting a reproduction of the film but that's definitely not the case. "Movies have the luxury of different scenery and locations but, with live theatre, the entire play is set inside a hair salon."

The main challenge, according to Adam, is finding the right balance of comedy and emotion. "There are some crucial scenes, both happy and sad, that need to be portrayed by the actors and the audience members really need believe in their joy, grief and sorrow," he said.

First performing as a 10-year-old, Adam has been an actor, director, producer and lighting and sound operator with a diverse range of metropolitan and regional theatre companies. His current involvement is with Laughing Horse Productions where he has directed The Pirates of Penzance, Kecks, Shirley Valentine, Cut It Out, Backstage, Once Upon A Mattress, Oliver! and Seussical. Adam has also scored several awards and nominations over the years for best-supporting actor, director, production, stage manager, costumes and set."Steel Magnolias appealed because I enjoyed reading the script and was inspired so audiences could see such a powerful production live on stage," he said. "It's a heart-warming play – while it's a comedy that will make you laugh, it also makes you stop and think and also shed a tear."

Gabrielle Sampson plays Truvy, owner of the salon. "It's a place where her neighbourhood friends meet to be beautified and exchange personal life stories," she said. "Truvy is the peacemaker, always lifting spirits of others, and vicariously lives through Shelby because she desperately needs romance back in her life. "Keeping the authenticity of Truvy's character while making it my own portrayal will be challenging, not to mention learning thousands of lines. Truvy has her own conflict, which is not as obvious as some of the other characters, but I hope the audience can feel her ache for true love beyond the humour."

Involved in theatre off and on for many years, Gabrielle started with the Midnite Youth Theatre Company and has since performed with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of WA, Phoenix and Stray Cats Theatres and Laughing Horse Productions in The Mikado, Singin' in the Rain, Honk!, Shrek The Musical and Seussical."Steel Magnolias appealed because it was an opportunity to be a part of such an iconic play," she said. "It has an all-female cast and there's a genuine love of these six strong, intelligent women dealing with the fragility of love, life and friendships."

Steel Magnolias plays at 7.30pm March 12, 13, 19 and 20 with 2pm matinees March 13 and 20. Tickets are $26, $18 concession – book at https://tinyurl.com/steel2021 or on 9498 9414. The Don Russell Performing Arts Centre is at Lot 13 Murdoch Road, Thornlie.