Cast chemistry goes a long way
By Cheryl Minns, Arts Editor
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll wish your hairstylist was as friendly as Truvy Jones.
Steel Magnolias presents a Louisiana group of women who support each other through the best and worst of times—whether it’s dealing with a bad hair day or getting through a tragic loss.
The Douglas College Studio Theatre is wonderfully decorated as Truvy’s hair salon, with the set starting where the seats end so audience members feel like they’re in the salon with the characters.
Alexandria Gamache gives a particularly outstanding performance as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, a young diabetic woman who refuses to take her mother’s advice regarding her health. From the minute her character has a diabetic episode that seems so real you almost want to rush over and offer assistance, it’s clear that Gamache knows how to play this role.
Kelsey Robertson also makes an impression as the bubbly Truvy Jones, who can be crying her eyes out one minute and laughing like a child the next. Robertson maintained her bubbly personality and Louisiana accent throughout the play. Even after sadder scenes that involved crying, she was able to end her tears and be her perky self again at a moment’s notice.
During the sold out opening night performance, the audience was very receptive to the six actors’ performances, laughing at their jokes and crying during their saddest conversations. Several attendees gave a standing ovation at the show’s close.
If you want to see 1980s female bonding at its finest, then this is definitely the play to see.
Steel Magnolias is playing until November 9 at the Studio Theatre at Douglas College’s New Westminster campus. Tickets are $10-12, and are available through Massey Theatre at 604-521-5050 or at tickets.masseytheatre.com
