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Post by TallPaul on Sept 2, 2022 10:40:59 GMT
Touring the UK(?) from early 2023.
So far, I've found tour stops in Bath, Cheltenham and Salford.
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Post by showgirl on Sept 3, 2022 3:42:39 GMT
Well it's going to Guildford as that's how I learned of this production - though only via an email from the theatre this week. Btw, what happened to having a list of tour dates/venues on a website for touring productions? It was the same with Spike only recently: I tried in vain to obtain information from the original location, various people's Twitter feeds etc and almost booked for Oxford, only to find out just in time that it was also going to Guildford. So yes, I expect there are more dates to come for Steel Magnolias as your "so far" implies, TallPaul. |
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Post by Rory on Sept 3, 2022 5:56:43 GMT
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 3, 2022 9:10:42 GMT
I know it was a play first but that film is so iconic and with a perfect cast, I don’t think I need to see it portrayed by anyone else. Let’s face it, Dolly Parton IS Truvy Jones. What can they possibly do to improve it? Especially with someone from EastEnders giving us their take on a Louisiana accent. It’s a pass for me!
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Post by alicechallice on Sept 3, 2022 9:28:41 GMT
Did anybody on here see the original West End production in the ‘80’s?
Rosemary Harris, Maggie Steed, Jean Boht, Janine Duvitski, Stephanie Cole & Joely Richardson! V.classy.
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Post by showgirl on Sept 4, 2022 2:30:43 GMT
Indeed, Rory, but it's not infallible & often has incomplete info. Besides, shouldn't the production company be the first place to look for this? |
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Post by aliwag on Sept 20, 2022 11:46:51 GMT
Do we know who the producers are?
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Post by TallPaul on Sept 21, 2022 15:48:27 GMT
Do we know who the producers are? It's Trafalgar Theatre Productions Limited. Leeds Grand is always very helpful with that type of information. |
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Post by TallPaul on Sept 24, 2022 9:38:24 GMT
Website now up and full tour schedule available: steelmagnoliasplay.co.uk/Opens in Bromley, for three days, in January. Mostly an English tour, with week-long stops in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The two 'stars' announced so far both leave the tour mid-way through the run. (I've changed the thread title to be more geographically accurate.) |
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Post by TallPaul on Nov 23, 2022 12:54:52 GMT
Jacqueline Jossa is no longer involved. Joining the cast, initially, are Diana Vickers, Lucy Speed, Caroline Harker and Elizabeth Ayodele.
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Post by Polly1 on Nov 23, 2022 21:36:57 GMT
Did anybody on here see the original West End production in the ‘80’s? Rosemary Harris, Maggie Steed, Jean Boht, Janine Duvitski, Stephanie Cole & Joely Richardson! V.classy. No, but would have loved to! |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 23, 2022 23:25:59 GMT
What a totally naff cast 😂
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Post by Steve on Jan 30, 2023 8:55:39 GMT
Caught this at Richmond, and loved it! There's a funny line every minute or so, and this cast nail the laughs and then nail the heartfelt feelings. I preferred this to the film. . . Some spoilers follow. . . This is much funnier than the film, for me, less melodramatic, more focused on funny conversations, yet it still becomes tremendously moving at the end. Limiting the story to one location, Truvy's hairdressers, and limiting the story to 6 female friends, rather than depicting all those extraneous male characters and subplots, keeps the focus where it belongs, on the friendships and communal bonds forged in that special place. About every minute or so, there is a golden line of dialogue, delivered by these actors with the confident and convincing teasing manner of naturalistic conversation that triggers belly laughs. For example, Lucy Speed's Truvy nails the line that "there's no such thing as natural beauty," and Harriet Thorpe's Ouiser's denial that she's crazy, with the line that she's rather been "in a bad mood for 40 years" is perfectly pitched. The cast nail the accents, with exception of Caoline Harker's Clairee, who makes up for that by being excellent in every other way, particularly her comic timing. But then, all the cast give memorable performances: with Diana Vicker's Shelby so loveably sharp, witty and chirpy chatty at the beginning, and affectingly attempting to keep this going in the second half, that I forgot about Julia Roberts for a second lol; and Lucy Speed embodying everything Dolly Parton did in the film, being the heart of the heart of a community of relatable women. The standout, for me, though, was Harriet Thorpe's Ouiser, whose raspy gruff punchy perfectly timed eccentric exclamations make for a Ouiser that is leagues funnier than Shirley MacLaine was in the film (forgive me lol). This show has so many laughs, with 5 actors successfully piloting their characters in jovial communal witty laugh mode, and one character, Laura Main's M'Lynn in contrasting wistful-thoughtful-vulnerable mode, brilliantly emotionally grounding the piece, and keeping the whole thing on an even keel to land the eventual dramatic ending. I laughed a lot! For that reason, and for the purity of focus, the original play beats the film for me. 4 stars.  |
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Post by showgirl on Jan 31, 2023 4:57:59 GMT
Your enthusiastic review is encouraging, Steve, though I'd already seen positive online reviews from early tour dates and was looking forward to this, having booked 5 months ago. My only concern as the date approached was the risk of train strikes but now my booking falls safely within the minimum 14-day notice period - phew! After all these years I can't possibly recall the film, so I'll be unable to compare it with the stage version or appreciate it if the latter is funnier but it sounds like an entertaining and enjoyable afternoon out, which in February will be very welcome. Surprisingly for a Guildford matinee, it hasn't sold that well but maybe word-of-mouth will help. I do notice that the Yvonne Arnaud is now programming far more musicals - have just booked for the Blood Brothers tour in September - so maybe the regular matinee audience has yet to adjust to that shift. |
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Post by Steve on Feb 1, 2023 21:41:30 GMT
Your enthusiastic review is encouraging, Steve, though I'd already seen positive online reviews from early tour dates and was looking forward to this, having booked 5 months ago. My only concern as the date approached was the risk of train strikes but now my booking falls safely within the minimum 14-day notice period - phew! After all these years I can't possibly recall the film, so I'll be unable to compare it with the stage version or appreciate it if the latter is funnier but it sounds like an entertaining and enjoyable afternoon out, which in February will be very welcome. Surprisingly for a Guildford matinee, it hasn't sold that well but maybe word-of-mouth will help. I do notice that the Yvonne Arnaud is now programming far more musicals - have just booked for the Blood Brothers tour in September - so maybe the regular matinee audience has yet to adjust to that shift. Ha ha, I'm currently negotiating a strike day with a blend of tubes and buses. What a hassle! With the play, just go in without expectations and it's likely to amuse you. Anyone expecting Sally Field level fireworks, per the film, is likely to be disappointed, as the focus is squarely on the community, not M'Lynn (Field's pivotal movie character). In fact, there are huge stretches of this play where her character is entirely absent, and other stretches where M'Lynn is present, but saying nothing, which adds a layer of thoughtfulness to otherwise wholly comedic scenes. The focus, on comedy and community, is what I loved about the piece. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 8, 2023 16:26:02 GMT
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 17, 2023 11:35:54 GMT
The tour will now end in April, three months earlier than planned.
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Post by showgirl on Feb 17, 2023 11:49:26 GMT
Shame; wonder why as it has been well reviewed on recent tour visits & went down v well in Guildford. Maybe they couldn't recast for the parts which weren't covered for the full tour?
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Post by sph on Feb 17, 2023 13:06:40 GMT
I imagine it was just the usual case of poor advance sales. Shame really. Is it just me or has the touring market seemed very dodgy post-Covid? Lots of shows going out and not doing well or cancelling.
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Post by hadeswasking on Feb 17, 2023 13:17:31 GMT
I imagine it was just the usual case of poor advance sales. Shame really. Is it just me or has the touring market seemed very dodgy post-Covid? Lots of shows going out and not doing well or cancelling. Especially for plays. Went to Home, I'm darling the other night. Think there were under 20 other members of the audience in the stalls. Was quite a depressing sight. |
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Post by Jon on Feb 17, 2023 14:11:43 GMT
I suspect the issue is the quality of shows as well. The big ticket shows sell really well but you can't really entice people some of the plays.
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Post by sph on Feb 17, 2023 23:54:10 GMT
I imagine it was just the usual case of poor advance sales. Shame really. Is it just me or has the touring market seemed very dodgy post-Covid? Lots of shows going out and not doing well or cancelling. Especially for plays. Went to Home, I'm darling the other night. Think there were under 20 other members of the audience in the stalls. Was quite a depressing sight. I mean 20 people in the stalls - bloody hell! I can see big, well-known musicals doing ok, but everything else seems to be really struggling. |
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Post by drowseychap on Feb 18, 2023 2:02:56 GMT
It’s a shame quite fancied this it may still be local before it ends will check ….. mind you touring show tickets are higher than ever been recently …. Looked for something the weekend at 6 local ish theatres ….. was lucky to get any decent seat for less than £40 front stalls are regularly £50-60
Only ones I could afford for strictly ballroom in wolves were £24 each ..listening only ! You read correctly
Death drop next month Saturday sold about 200 seats too price tickets £60
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Post by drowseychap on Feb 18, 2023 2:14:19 GMT
Just checked Birmingham and it’s terribly sad looking ticket sales circles completely unsold. Few rows in stalls sold for each performance 🙁 again £53 - £28 with any decent view
They should do day seats for £15 fill these huge theatres must be so demoralising for the hard working talented cast or give to carers Emergency services etc for £10
They would more than make up the money on bar and snack sales etc
Birmingham Rep often sell unsold tickets to community groups and NHS at half the ticket price or less to get people in enjoying theatre
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 18, 2023 9:02:30 GMT
Whether because of a 2-for1 members offer, or the £20 offer posted above, but The Lowry run has sold really well...even on the night when Man Utd are playing Barcelona at home!
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