In a captivating showcase of talent and dedication, Oakham’s Drama Scholars wowed audiences with their production of Steel Magnolias, earning rave reviews and standing ovations in the School’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
An almost entirely female ensemble cast made audiences laugh and cry in equal measure over four nights with a fast-paced production full of whip smart dialogue that moved effortlessly from comedy to tragedy in the blink of the eye.
Set over three years in Truvy’s beauty parlour in Louisiana, the play follows the lives of six strong southern women who come together each week to set the world to rights whilst having their hair set. At the heart of the plot is the relationship between mother and daughter M’Lynn and Shelby. Seventh Former Mesi gave a powerful and nuanced performance as M’Lynn whose fierce desire to protect her daughter competes against diabetic Shelby’s wish to live a normal life no matter what the cost to her health (a compelling and vulnerable portrayal from Sixth Former Lottie).
Under Director of Drama Gilly Norell’s expert leadership, the timeless story of love, loss and friendship unfolded seamlessly on stage, as the young actors navigated the complex emotions of the script with poise and maturity beyond their years.
The set design and costumes by Justine Harrison deserve applause of their own. With meticulous attention to detail, the set transported audiences to the heart of Truvy’s beauty salon, fully embracing the colour pink, so beloved by Shelby, and the 1980s period with a soundtrack to match.
Catherine Weate, a talented voice and dialect coach, ran a workshop at Oakham to help the actors perfect their southern accents in readiness for their roles. Catherine has coached actors in West End productions such as Dirty Dancing and The King’s Speech, and her numerous television coaching credits include Downton Abbey. Her previous roles include Head of Voice at Rose Bruford College and Head of Examinations at LAMDA.
Director of Drama, Gilly Norell, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our young actors to learn about the science and precision of speaking with a different accent from an expert in the field.
“This is just one of the excellent examples of how we equip our pupils with skills that will far outlast their time at School.”
Find out more about Drama at Oakham School.
