Steel Magnolias helps theatre's reputation

The Peninsula is extremely fortunate to have the theatre in Woy Woy.

In time, it will develop as a major drawcard for all on the Coast and beyond.

Last Friday night's opening of Steel Magnolias should help to reinforce this.

With (thankfully) less pathos than the filmed version, the script has been returned to its off-Broadway birthing, and it works.

The ensemble of actors were terrific; giving the audience its world within a world where the lone male may have been simply a fly on the wall.

I enjoyed the development of the outsider character, Anelle, played by Karen Swift, shifting between wide-eyed fears of inexperience to a celebration of her new-found place.

Mary Middleton added just enough warmth to the mothering M'Lynn to show us she was bound to fall when her life opened up before her eyes.

Dealing with loss and losing were played as two equally cruel partners and Louise Sullivan matched it with her, destined to become a focal point no matter what the outcome.

Barbara Hickey and Fran Kendall traded some lovely vocal blows, although I felt the delivery of some of these lines needed more of a throw-away touch.

Rather than pulling focus for the laugh, these people, in playwright Robert Harling's world, do this day in and day out.

I see this working itself through as the run continues.

Amanda Benson as Truvvy held the ship on course and added vulnerability to the acerbic, playing the friend to everyone, allowing the knowledge that her only true enemy was Truuvy herself.

The director, Margaret McGowan, and the rest of the crew should feel proud of bringing Robert Harling's original vision to the Central Coast

The play continues until July 17.

Pol Roger, Woy Woy