Rose Theatre presents a Rose Original Production
Steel Magnolias
By Robert Harling
Directed by Anthony Banks
Starring Kara Tointon with further cast to be announced
Rose Theatre today announces Robert Harling’s comedy Steel Magnolias starring Kara Tointon (Shelby), directed by Anthony Banks. The production opens on 6 May, with previews from 30 April, and runs until 23 May.
Set and Costume Design is by Laura Hopkins (Fanny & Alexander), Composition and Sound Design by Ben and Max Ringham (Cyrano de Bergerac) and Lighting Design by Nic Farman (Valued Friends).
"I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special."
In small-town Louisiana, Truvy’s beauty salon is a regular rendezvous for six extraordinary women who span the social circles of their local community. Bubbling with sharp, laugh-out-loud humour, the friends quip back and forth over life’s highs and lows until a tragic event leaves them and the whole town reeling.
The strength of female friendship comes alive through fast, funny dialogue and vibrant, endearing characters in this powerful and heart-warming comedy.
Robert Harling’s play is based on the true story of his mother and sister. It ran for over one thousand performances Off-Broadway and was adapted by Harling for the screen.
Writer Robert Harling, said today, ‘I am thrilled that the Rose Theatre are putting on Steel Magnolias, it is based on a true story and I am always excited when actors bring their own truth to perform the play.’
Director, Anthony Banks, said today, ‘I'm thrilled to be working with Robert Harling on this new production and to be reunited with Kara Tointon having had so much fun together on Gaslight. It's still rare enough to have a stage dominated by one female character let alone have it exclusively populated by six for the whole evening. I've loved this play since I was a child. I grew up surrounded by women like this. I like the no-nonsense truths they tell behind closed doors and I can’t wait to bring this show to the Rose.’