STEEL MAGNOLIAS, the hilarious and heart-warming play based on a true story, which enjoyed huge global success in the hit 1989 film adaptation starring Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts, is opening its salon at the New Theatre in Cardiff this week., at the end of its extensive UK tour.
The star-studded all-female ensemble cast comprises LAURA MAIN (best known as Shelagh Turner in BBC One’s Call the Midwife), LUCY SPEED (known for her television roles on EastEnders and The Bill, and as a new cast member on BBC Radio 4’s The Archers), HARRIET THORPE (best known for her role as Carole Parkinson in The Brittas Empire and Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous), DIANA VICKERS (The X Factor star who has gone on to lead roles in many theatre productions including Dial M For Murder and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice), ELIZABETH AYODELE (Playboy of the West Indies) and CAROLINE HARKER (A Touch of Frost), who bring this very funny and touching story of friendship and the strength that women derive from one another beautifully to life on stage.
We had a chat with Harriet recently about this lovely production, and of course, we couldn’t resist a little gossip about her new role in Eastenders. Harriet will play Elaine, Linda’s larger than life mother. Linda Carter has been struggling to manage the pub since Mick’s disappearance.
Steel Magnolias, which was first performed off-Broadway in 1987, is the story of six women who come together once a week in a small-town beauty salon in the American South, and prove that female friendship conquers all. Faced with the highs and lows of love and life, and amongst the chaos of work, marriage and children, they unite to gossip, unwind and set the world to rights.
The show, directed by ANTHONY BANKS (Mrs Warren’s Profession, Tour, Girl on the Train, West End, Dial M for Murder, National tour), has been touring since January and will conclude at the New Theatre in Cardiff this week.
Performances are at 7:30pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee on Thursday and Saturday. For more details and to get your tickets go HERE.
