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"Steel Magnolias"
April 26-28, 2007
Deep River Legion
written by Robert Harling
directed by Marjorie Alburger
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REVIEW IN North Renfrew Times
(2007 May 2)
Players deliver southern fried delight
by Argus
"Steel Magnolias" is billed as "the funniest show ever to make you
cry."
This Argus is pleased, and just a little embarassed, to report that
the Deep River Players' production of the show at the Deep River Legion
last weekend was a success in every sense of that description.
"Steel Magnolias" tells the story of a group of southern belles who
gather regularly at Truvy's beauty salon to share stories of their
lives and loves.
The story turns from comedy to tragedy in the second half when Shelby
Eatenton, whose wedding preparations open the show, dies of
complications from type 1 diabetes, leaving behind the young son she
was urged not to have in the first place.
From first to last, the cast of "Steel Magnolias" was excellent.
Players' stalwart Phyllis Heeney delivered Truvy, whose warm heart and
unfailing good spirit is the glue that holds her clientele together,
with all the sparkle and enthusiasm local audiences have come to
expect.
Dale Hopkins, a veteran of the Pembroke theatre scene making her
second appearance in a Players' production after last year's female
"Odd Couple," was Clairee, former "first lady" of Chinquapin Parish,
football fan extraordinaire and soon-to-be owner of the local radio
station. Hopkins showed a brilliant touch for comic timing, nailing
one-liner after one-liner.
Karen Shewchuk, another Players' regular, was stellar as M'Lynn
Eatenton, the mother dealing with her strong-willed daughter as the
play gets underway, then left behind to deal with her confusion and
rage following her daughter's death.
Shewchuk captured the full range her character's emotions, from tender
if somewhat overbearing love for her daughter in the opening scene, to
dismay and disbelief when she hears Shelby is going ahead with a
pregnancy they both know may be dangerous, to the heartrending grief
that comes pouring out in the final scene. A memorable performance.
Along with experienced members of the cast, it's always a pleasure to
see new faces in local productions, particularly when they are as good
as the other three "magnolias."
Margaret Bates, who will play the title role in the musical "Evita"
this summer, was a delight as Annelle, the young woman who comes to
work for Truvy after her husband runs off on her and later finds God as
a born-again Christian.
Nickie Deighton gave a standout performance as Shelby. Deighton
combined an easygoing charm with flashes of the "steel" underneath that
reflected both the lovingly generous and stubbornly iron-willed sides
of Shelby's character.
Last, but certainly not least, Jane Vachon almost stole the show as
the curmudgeonly neighbour, Ouiser. It's hard to believe (but true)
that this was Vachon's first time on stage, as she injected a whole new
level of energy to the show each time she stormed through the door.
As good as the individual performances were, it should also be noted
that as an ensemble, the cast did a marvellous job of capturing a sense
of intimate familiarity among the women of Truvy's, whether they were
trading barbs, admiring new shoes, or comforting a friend.
It's a tribute to director Marjorie Alburger and the whole crew that
Ouiser's doubtful description of the women as "the dearest friends I
have" was entirely believable.
On the production side, the show was every bit as successful. The set
in particular was very effective, and the hair and costumes were
suitably "big" - it was the '80s, after all.
Congratulations, too, for the attention to detail. Doors that slam
shut, phones that stop ringing when someone picks them up - those are
little things that can make a big difference when not done right.
No review would be complete, however, without some critical comments
to balance things out, so here we go:
Although the Legion was a relaxed venue for the show, the sightlines
at the back of the audience were difficult at best. A little more
height to the stage would have helped.
Saturday night's performance seemed tentative in the early going,
strange for a closing night. Until Ouiser's arrival, the cast were
almost too relaxed, as their voices dropped at times to levels hard to
hear.
The makeup was, in some cases, perhaps a little over the top. It may
have been the 80s, and stage makeup is generally heavy-handed, but in a
more intimate setting like the Legion, a somewhat lighter hand would
have done the job.
But these are quibbles. On the whole, audiences were given exactly
what they came for - an evening of wonderful entertainment.
"Laughter through tears is my favourite emotion," Truvy says towards
the end of the show.
After last week's production of "Steel Magnolias," it's hard to
disagree.
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