Steel Magnolias
By Robert Harling · The Tower Theatre, Folkestone
| Steel Magnolias | |
.jpg) Steel Magnolias promotional image | |
| Production Details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 13–15 March 2025 |
| Venue | The Tower Theatre |
| Director | Alice Hawkins |
| Writer | Robert Harling |
| Producer | Natalie Jones |
| Amateur production by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. | |
The Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society presented Steel Magnolias on 13th–15th March 2025 at The Tower Theatre, Folkestone. An amateur production by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. Written by Robert Harling.
Foreword
Welcome to The Tower Theatre and FHODS' March production, the beautiful Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling. What a couple of hours you have in store for you!
As many people will be aware, this is a production that I have wanted to put on for years. The story of 6 women, all coming together to put the world to right, always seemed a particularly poignant and special message and one that I felt really mattered for a modern audience. As most people say, a change is as good as a rest, and it has been so lovely for me to direct my first play for FHODS. When I first put forward this idea so many years ago, I made one thing clear; I wanted an all-female production from the cast right through to the crew. Natalie and I were so taken aback by how many women we had wanting to come forward to help with tech and backstage, and it's been a real privilege to lead this extraordinary female team. We also have been very lucky to have Anne in our cast who, excitedly, was in the 1993 FHODS production of Steel Magnolias as M'Lynn, offering her guidance. Some photos from this production are also in our programme for you to look at.
Of course, many of us remember the 1989 film of Steel Magnolias starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts. The film was based on this play and as you'll see, the action all takes place in Truvy's hair salon. Interestingly, this play is based on the experiences of Harling's sister who was a diabetic and how it affected her day to day life. This play explores key themes that really resonated with me; love, friendship, resilience and found family. This group of women from different backgrounds and generations who have a remarkable bond which pulls them through the good times and the bad. These women are imperfect, vulnerable and compassionate, yet strong, witty and ready to take on the world with all the gumption that they have. True role models for us all.
We really hope you enjoy this production of Steel Magnolias and we look forward to welcoming you again to one of our wonderful FHODS productions. There is something for everyone this year in our calendar which we are sure you will enjoy; May's A Midsummer Night's Dream, our foyer play Bad Dates, our Youth Section's Newsies Jr., our Summer Musical Annie, our September musical Come From Away, our November production Love From A Stranger and of course our pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.
- Alice Hawkins, Director
Cast
Production Team
Direction & Production
- Director – Alice Hawkins
ProducerDesign & Technical
- Set Design – Hannah Manton
Set ConstructionWardrobe & Props
- Costume – Emma Franks
DresserMedia & Marketing
- Original Poster Design – George Holness
Graphics
For The Tower Theatre
Thanks
Honorary Females
- Steve Hawkins – Dulcet tones as the DJ Announcer