Steel Magnolias
Fri, 16 Feb 2001, 11:00 pmWalter Plinge5 posts in thread
Steel Magnolias
Fri, 16 Feb 2001, 11:00 pmI don't think I've ever seen anything from Wanneroo Rep on this site before - doesn't anyone in the northern latitudes have access to the Internet?.
The lovely Dr M and I made the 100 km round trip to the Limelight Theatre to see Wanneroo Rep's production of "Steel Magnolias". Whilst it's always interesting seeing another group tackle a production you've previously been involved with, you do suffer from the familiarity. I've always thought that "Steel Mags" is a great play. It tells an involving (true) story with beginning, middle & end, and manages to weave some hilarious situations and wonderful one-liners - particularly from Ouiser and Clairee (Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis for those trying to remember who is who) - throughout the script. However, being intimately involved with a production a few years ago, I could spot all the laughs coming a mile away, and consequently, for me, this was an amusing nostalgia trip rather than a bellylaugh comedy.
I'm afraid I had a problem with the disappointingly brief programme. There was no information whatsoever about any of the cast or crew. Not getting up to the top of the freeway too often, I have no idea if the cast were newcomers or veterans, or whether this was the directorial debut for Brenda Redding.
The cast did a serviceable job, but were obviously struggling with the enforced Southern US accents. Subsequently, the projection suffered in places and there were a few line flubs (which I probably picked up because of my knowledge of the script). I thought Shelley Tinsley did a very good job as M'Lynn (Sally Field). She portrayed a lovely sense of calm under fire and quiet, yet biting, sarcasm, but was still able to let loose in Scene 4. Charlotte Simmonds was a very cute and perky Shelby -difficult to play in the shadow of Julia Roberts (whose movie portrayal brought her to worldwide attention). Although if Shelby has such a fixation for the colour pink, why wasn't she wearing it in Scene 1? Charlotte managed to do some sort of - hard to describe - amazing jaw-and-cheek-shuddering facial contortions during Shelby's infamous diabetic attack. However, I was a bit worried by the director's decision for Shelby's response to her Mother's entreaties to drink some juice, to be in the style of, "Not right now, thank you, Mother," rather than the traditional, "GET THE HELL OUTTA MY FACE." Oh well, just my opinion.
The set was great, and although I didn't actually SEE any running water, there must have been some water somewhere, since Annelle somehow managed to wash M'Lynn's hair. Congratulations too on the grotesque Christmas decorations (are we allowed to say "Christmas" in an American play?). The gunshot sound effects were a bit muted, but we got picked up on the exact same thing when we did the show years ago. Take note, future "Steel Mags" directors - it's a trap to avoid! The house was full (on a Thursday!) and the audience obviously enjoyed the performance. Don't be a stranger to this page, Wanneroo Rep.
JB
The lovely Dr M and I made the 100 km round trip to the Limelight Theatre to see Wanneroo Rep's production of "Steel Magnolias". Whilst it's always interesting seeing another group tackle a production you've previously been involved with, you do suffer from the familiarity. I've always thought that "Steel Mags" is a great play. It tells an involving (true) story with beginning, middle & end, and manages to weave some hilarious situations and wonderful one-liners - particularly from Ouiser and Clairee (Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis for those trying to remember who is who) - throughout the script. However, being intimately involved with a production a few years ago, I could spot all the laughs coming a mile away, and consequently, for me, this was an amusing nostalgia trip rather than a bellylaugh comedy.
I'm afraid I had a problem with the disappointingly brief programme. There was no information whatsoever about any of the cast or crew. Not getting up to the top of the freeway too often, I have no idea if the cast were newcomers or veterans, or whether this was the directorial debut for Brenda Redding.
The cast did a serviceable job, but were obviously struggling with the enforced Southern US accents. Subsequently, the projection suffered in places and there were a few line flubs (which I probably picked up because of my knowledge of the script). I thought Shelley Tinsley did a very good job as M'Lynn (Sally Field). She portrayed a lovely sense of calm under fire and quiet, yet biting, sarcasm, but was still able to let loose in Scene 4. Charlotte Simmonds was a very cute and perky Shelby -difficult to play in the shadow of Julia Roberts (whose movie portrayal brought her to worldwide attention). Although if Shelby has such a fixation for the colour pink, why wasn't she wearing it in Scene 1? Charlotte managed to do some sort of - hard to describe - amazing jaw-and-cheek-shuddering facial contortions during Shelby's infamous diabetic attack. However, I was a bit worried by the director's decision for Shelby's response to her Mother's entreaties to drink some juice, to be in the style of, "Not right now, thank you, Mother," rather than the traditional, "GET THE HELL OUTTA MY FACE." Oh well, just my opinion.
The set was great, and although I didn't actually SEE any running water, there must have been some water somewhere, since Annelle somehow managed to wash M'Lynn's hair. Congratulations too on the grotesque Christmas decorations (are we allowed to say "Christmas" in an American play?). The gunshot sound effects were a bit muted, but we got picked up on the exact same thing when we did the show years ago. Take note, future "Steel Mags" directors - it's a trap to avoid! The house was full (on a Thursday!) and the audience obviously enjoyed the performance. Don't be a stranger to this page, Wanneroo Rep.
JB