‘I HAVE A STRICT PHILOSOPHY THAT I HAVE STUCK TO FOR FIFTEEN YEARS… THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS NATURAL BEAUTY.’
1987, Northwest Louisiana — Truvy’s Beauty Spot. Packed with humour and enough hairspray to rip a hole in the ozone layer, Steel Magnolias follows aspiring beautician Annelle, who’s just arrived in town and finds herself swept up in the lively world of Truvy’s salon. As the women prepare for local beauty Shelby’s wedding, the salon hums with gossip, laughter, and the comforting rhythm of everyday life. Young, strong-willed, and unshakably optimistic, Shelby’s future seems picture- perfect, but as the seasons change, the women discover that life has a way of testing even the strongest hearts.
Written by Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias began as a deeply personal tribute to his sister, whose courage and spirit inspired the character of Shelby. Harling’s writing captures the warmth, wit, and unfiltered honesty of Southern women, creating a world that feels both deeply familiar and profoundly moving. His dialogue sparkles with laughter one moment and pierces with truth the next, a reflection of life’s tender balance between joy and sorrow.
At the heart of the story lies the enduring bond between six remarkable women: Truvy, M’Lynn, Shelby, Annelle, Ouiser, and Clairee. Though their paths twist through triumphs and tragedies, their friendship remains unshakeable. Together, they face life’s highs and lows with grace, humour, and an endless supply of hairspray. More than three decades after it first took the stage, Steel Magnolias continues to remind audiences that strength can be both fierce and feminine, and that love, laughter, and loyalty are the true beauty secrets of the South.
“Steel Magnolias” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.
- Saturday 13 June – Friday 10 July 2026
- 14:30 & 19:30
- Price: £16 – £40
- Lyric Theatre Belfast, 55 Ridgeway Street BT9 5FB
More information and booking: lyrictheatre.co.uk/whats-on/steel-magnolias
