Ruby Productions will perform the hit play Steel Magnolias in Penrith on August 3 and 10 at 2pm and 7pm.
Written by American playwright Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias is based on his experience with his sister's death. The play is a comedy-drama about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. The title suggests the "female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel".
M'Lynn is the mother of bride-to-be Shelby Eatenton, and as friend Truvy Jones fixes the women's hair for the ceremony, they welcome a helping hand from aspiring beautician Annelle Dupuy Desoto. Diabetic Shelby has a health scare, which is averted but doesn't bode well for her hopes of having children. Time passes, and the women and their friends encounter tragedy and good fortune, growing stronger and closer in the process.
Director Anthony Brown remembers seeing the movie 30 years ago and fell in love with the characters, the story and the accent.
"Our team at Ruby Productions have worked hard on bringing to life this very female dominated play to the stage," he said. "I have some incredible actors here who love Steel Magnolias as much as I do, they can't wait to get to our performances and show our audiences a time set in the 1980s where there was no mobiles, no computers in every home, only people connecting with each other daily by seeing each other."
Mr Brown said the set design is dominated by pink and "everything fitting for this popular play".
Ticket price is $25 for adults and $20 concession, $35 at the door. To book tickets go to www.trybooking.com/465979. To reserve show only phone phone 4735 5422.
Steel Magnolias will be performed at John Lees Centre, 15 Evan Street; Penrith. Details: www.rubyproductions.com.au
