Steel Magnolias

I should've known better…

The moment I heard Steel Magnolias was coming to Perth, I was excited. Then I remembered… I cried watching the movie years ago. So why on earth did I think I'd get through the stage version without reaching for a tissue? Spoiler alert… I didn't.

But before I get to that… Can we just take a moment to appreciate opening nights? There is something magical about walking through the doors of His Majesty's Theatre and feeling that buzz in the air. Theatre lovers catching up, everyone dressed beautifully, glasses clinking, photos being taken and that feeling of anticipation as everyone settles into their seats wondering… 'This is going to be a good night, isn't it?' Last night, it absolutely was.

As I sat waiting for the curtain to rise, I found myself thinking about why this story has endured for almost 40 years. Learning that playwright Robert Harling wrote Steel Magnolias as a tribute to his beloved sister made so much sense to me after watching this production. Because nothing about it feels manufactured. Nothing feels forced. It feels honest. And I think that's why audiences continue to fall in love with it.

More than just a story

I'm not going to spoil the story for anyone because I genuinely think everyone should experience it for themselves. What I will say is this… Steel Magnolias is funny. Really funny. It celebrates friendship, family, resilience and the incredible strength found in ordinary women. It reminds us that laughter and heartbreak can exist side by side. Somehow, that makes both even more powerful. What struck me most was how authentic every relationship felt. Knowing this story was born from love and loss in real life gives every conversation, every laugh and every emotional moment an added layer of sincerity. You don't just watch these women. You believe them.

Six women who completely drew me in

One thing I absolutely loved was that nobody was trying to steal the spotlight. Every actress gave the others room to shine. That's exactly why it worked so beautifully. Lisa McCune brings incredible emotional honesty to M'Lynn. Every moment feels authentic, grounded and deeply human. Jessica Redmayne fills Shelby with warmth, determination and a spirit that lights up the stage. Mandy Bishop is utterly delightful as Truvy. From the moment she welcomes us into her salon, it feels like somewhere you've visited a hundred times before. Tracy Mann brings elegance, humour and wonderful warmth to Clairee. Every time she spoke, the audience responded with laughter and affection. Belinda Giblin is gloriously sharp as Ouiser. Her comic timing is impeccable, and she delivers some of the biggest laughs of the evening while reminding us there's often a soft heart beneath a tough exterior. Lotte Beckett quietly captures Annelle's journey with sincerity and vulnerability. Watching her character grow throughout the evening was a genuine pleasure. But the real star of this production isn't one performer. It's the ensemble. The chemistry between these six women is extraordinary. They listen to one another. They trust one another. They support one another. At times, I forgot I was watching actors. It genuinely felt like I'd been invited into Truvy's salon to spend a few hours with old friends.

Yep… it got me.

I should've known I was in trouble the moment they handed me a tissue at the door. I actually laughed and thought, 'Surely I won't need this…' Famous last words. There came a moment where I realised tears were rolling down my face. I hadn't even noticed until one landed softly on my chest. Without giving anything away, one beautifully performed scene unexpectedly unlocked a memory from my own life. That's the thing about theatre. Sometimes it isn't about what's happening on the stage. Sometimes it's about what happens inside you while you're watching. The best theatre doesn't tell you what to feel. It simply opens a door and lets your own memories walk through it. And perhaps that's why Steel Magnolias continues to resonate with audiences around the world. It was born from one family's love, and somehow, decades later, it still finds its way into ours.

Paula's Final Thoughts

I walked into Steel Magnolias expecting a lovely night at the theatre. I walked out reminded why stories matter. Why live theatre matters. Why the arts matter. Because every now and then, a playwright writes from the heart, a cast honours that gift with extraordinary care, and an audience leaves carrying a little piece of that story home with them. I laughed. I cried. I remembered. And for a couple of hours, nothing else in the world mattered. That, to me, is the magic of theatre.

Paula's Rating

🎭🎭🎭🎭🎭

Standing Ovation

A beautifully crafted production filled with humour, heart and humanity. One I'll remember for a very long time.

Would I buy another ticket? Without hesitation.

One last tip… If the wonderful front-of-house volunteers offer you a tissue as you walk into the theatre… Take it. Trust me. You're probably going to need it.

Until next curtain call… support live theatre. 🎭

There's something magical about walking into His Majesty's Theatre on opening night and feeling the buzz of anticipation in the air. Last night, that magic was alive and well for Steel Magnolias.

I'll admit, I came in completely blind. I'd never seen the film, knew very little about the story, and had no idea what to expect. What I discovered was an absolute gem of a play that had me laughing, reflecting, and completely invested in the lives of six women who felt like people I've known my entire life.

From the moment the curtain rose, I was transported into Truvy's beauty salon. The set design was beautifully detailed and instantly inviting, creating a world that felt authentic, lived-in and full of heart. Combined with wonderfully convincing Southern accents and the effortless chemistry between the cast, it wasn't long before I felt less like an audience member and more like I was sitting in the salon eavesdropping on old friends… and even a whole Christmas scene!!! Looove!

Coming from a musical theatre background, I found the experience particularly refreshing. My brain is so conditioned to expect a song, a dance break or a big production number every few minutes. Instead, I found myself completely captivated by something much simpler and, in many ways, much harder to achieve: six extraordinary actors telling a story through conversation, connection and truth.

The humour throughout the evening was a delight. Each character arrived armed with their own brand of wit, delivering one-liners that regularly had the entire audience erupting into laughter and applause. Yet beneath the comedy lies a deeply human story. The play explores friendship, family, resilience and some of life's greatest challenges with honesty and grace. There are moments that hit hard emotionally, but I'll leave those discoveries for future audiences. No spoilers here.

The cast was simply outstanding.

Mandy Bishop brings warmth, charm and infectious energy to Truvy, creating the perfect heart of the salon around which the entire story revolves.

Lotte Beckett gives a beautifully nuanced performance as Annelle, allowing the audience to witness her character's growth and transformation with genuine sincerity and humour.

Lisa McCune is magnificent as M'Lynn, grounding the production with strength, vulnerability and emotional depth that lingers long after the curtain call.

Jessica Redmayne shines as Shelby, bringing spirit, determination and heart to a role that demands both joy and courage in equal measure.

The performance I saw featured Tracy Mann as Clairee, and she was an absolute delight. There were one or two small stumbles through the dialogue, but they were handled with such professionalism and wit that they felt completely natural for the character. Rather than pulling you out of the moment, she folded them into her performance with such ease that the audience stayed right there with her. It was a lovely reminder that live theatre is beautifully human, and moments like these often become part of its unique charm.

And then there's Belinda Giblin as Ouiser, whose gloriously cantankerous performance had the audience in stitches. Every entrance felt like an event, every line landed, and every grumble was delivered with perfect precision.

To single out a favourite would be impossible. The true strength of this production lies in its ensemble. Each actress brings something unique, and together they create a company so cohesive and believable that you completely forget you're watching performers at work.

In recent times we've heard countless conversations about the challenges facing the arts industry. Some have even described it as a dark time for theatre. Which is why one of the highlights of my evening had nothing to do with what was happening on stage.

From where I was sitting, His Majesty's Theatre looked wonderfully full. The audience showed up in force, dressed to the nines, turning the foyer and red carpet into a celebration of theatre itself. Perth absolutely delivered, with an incredible display of colour, style and glamour. It was a beautiful reminder that audiences still value live performance and that there is something irreplaceable about sharing a story together in a room full of strangers.

Steel Magnolias feels like a warm embrace. It's funny, heartfelt, moving and deeply human. The kind of story that allows you to escape reality for a few hours while reminding you of what matters most in life.

If you're looking for a night at the theatre that will leave you smiling, laughing and perhaps reaching for a tissue or two, (they hand them out at the door) then make sure you spend some time in Truvy's beauty salon.

Trust me — you'll be glad you did.