[THEATRE REVIEW] STEEL MAGNOLIAS @ Athenaeum Theatre Review (2026)

In the south of the USA there is the state of Louisiana. In northwestern Louisiana there is the town of Chinquapin Parish. In Chinquapin Parish there is ‘Truvy’s Salon’. Finally in Truvy’s Salon there are 6 women gossiping, joking, arguing, mourning and everything else in between getting their hair made up!

It’s the 80s and the chatty larger than life personality Truvy (Mandy Bishop) has the hottest home salon in town. It’s shaping up to be a particularly busy day as Truvy and her new shy and quiet stylist Annelle (Lotte Beckett) see to mother & daughter M’Lynn (Lisa McCune) & Shelby (Jessica Redmayne). It’s Shelby’s wedding day and M’Lynn’s husband is scaring the bejeezus out of everyone firing his rifle into the air to keep pesky birds away from the ceremony. Clairee (Tracy Mann, subbing for Debra Lawrance) the widow of the former mayor looks for ways to entertain herself, usually finding them by riling up the local curmudgeon Ouiser (Belinda Giblin).

As time goes on the one constant in the lives of these 6 women is that there will always be Truvy’s Salon. A place for them to reunite with each other and offload their own burdens while helping others to offload theirs. There’s laughs and there are tears but the ladies of Chinquapin Parish endure. Being as delicate as magnolias yet as resilient as steel.

‘Steel Magnolias’ is the latest show by producers Neil Gooding & Alex Woodward. Of course the show itself is a highly regarded classic written by Robert Harling in 1987 as a loving tribute to his sister and the strong women around her. This latest Australian production comes directed by Lee Lewis understanding the long history this play has had. Beloved by generations of artists and audiences who have found solace and warmth in it’s characters and relateable story.

Yet many people are not even aware that Steel Magnolias began as a play at all. The hugely successful Hollywood film starring the likes of Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts & Shirley MacLaine released in 1989 adapted by Harding himself. While the film gives further insight into his characters and events which are only referenced in the play the core of the story are the women and their relationships as a fly on the wall of Truvy’s Salon.

Nicole Kidman also made her professional stage debut in a 1988 Australian production. That doesn’t really have anything to do with anything I’m talking about at the moment, I just thought it was fascinating trivia and wanted to mention it!

The play is told across 4 parts, all set within Truvy’s Salon over the course of a year and change. We see the characters grow or their health falter as time marches on. Annelle goes from being a shy woman abandoned by her husband with an uncertain fate to a woman engrossed in her religion beginning life anew. The older women support or worry or gossip as they progress their own lives in their own way. While Shelby’s decision to have a child despite complications from diabetes worries her mother M’Lynn greatly. 

The set design by Simone Romaniuk is fantastic, conjuring up retro, nostalgic visions of the 80s with it’s combinations of pinks and teals. Romaniuk also provides her services as the play’s costume designer which I thought added much to the verisimilitude and cohesion between the look of the set and wardrobe. Big hair, big shoulder pads and big attitudes leap off of the stage. While the set does technically remain the same that doesn’t mean their aren’t changeovers as seasons and Christmas holidays pass during the show’s mini acts.

Yet even beyond the costumes the actors can become unrecognisable, disappearing totally into the roles. I honestly forgot that Lisa McCune was in the play until the intermission when I realised that yes that southern belle I had been watching for the last hour was in fact everyone’s favourite four time Gold Logie award winner! But it is a toss up between Giblin as Ouiser and Redmayne as Shelby for who stole my heart the most on the night. Both actors playing completely diametrically opposite characters yet each being so believable you can feel the love this little community of ladies have for each other.

Which is really what this play is all about. It’s nearly an all female production from the cast to many of the creatives but it’s story transcends the binary. Like the film ‘Bridesmaids’ (2011) as a man I still found myself feeling impacted by the themes and meaning behind these characters and their journey. It can be a little predictable where the story is going but then it always was a play directly inspired by and based on the strong women in Robert Harling’s peripherals. 

It’s a brilliantly acted and expertly directed human story of how people deal with all the challenges which life throws at us. Sometimes when all you feel like doing is crying your friends can be there to pick you up and make you laugh. I highly recommend this play if you’re looking for a girl’s night out, a date night show or simply wish to support live theatre! 

4.5 out of 5

Steel Magnolias is currently playing at Athenaum Theatre in Melbourne’s CBD until August 16. For tickets visit https://www.athenaeumtheatre.com.au/shows/steel-magnolias

Review by Kyle McGrath