Review: Steel Magnolias Is A Heartwarming Star-Studded Triumph

★★★★☆

It’s often said true stories make the best stories, and Steel Magnolias is evidently one of them.

The 2026 Australian tour of the iconic 1980s play premiered in Brisbane last night to an enthusiastic audience that devoured every quip and conversation delivered by an all-star cast on QPAC’s Playhouse stage.

But it didn’t feel like a stage or an Australian cast (apart from the sheer talent), and that was part of the production’s charm. While rain fell in sheets outside, we were settled into a 1980s Louisiana beauty salon with all the trims (pun intended), from hairspray to hair rollers to a hearty dose of neighbourly gossip.

Written by Robert Harling about experiences in his own life, and directed by Lee Lewis, Australia’s new production of the beloved classic exuded small-town warmth and authenticity, and not a hint of an Aussie accent throughout.

It features a stunning cast led by Lisa McCune, alongside Belinda Giblin, Debra Lawrance, Mandy Bishop, Jessica Redmayne and Lotte Beckett. Unsurprisingly for an ensemble of this calibre, the characters are brought vividly and emotively to life. It feels rare to watch a play that’s genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, interspersed with the story’s quieter moments that invite personal reflection and connection.

A little history first.

Robert Harling wrote the play in just ten days in 1987. Devastated by the death of his sister from complications related to diabetes, he wanted to honour her life and the close-knit group of women who loved and supported his family. His observation skills were incredibly keen. The dialogue is genuine, witty, and raw in all the right moments.

The title itself came from a phrase Harling had heard throughout his childhood in the American South. A ‘steel magnolia’ was something that appears delicate and graceful on the outside but possesses immense inner strength.

Speaking to US magazine Garden & Gun, Harling said it felt like the perfect description for the women in his life who navigated life together. The weddings, babies, heartbreak, and loss, all with courage, humour, and resilience.  

The play premiered off-Broadway later that same year and quickly became a hit. Its popularity soon attracted Hollywood attention, leading to the beloved 1989 film adaptation starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and a then relatively unknown Julia Roberts, whose performance earned her an Academy Award nomination.

Steel Magnolias has appeared in theatres across the world since its premiere, including a 1988 run in Sydney starring a then-unknown Nicole Kidman in her professional stage debut.

In this 2026 Australian production, leading Australian director Lee Lewis clearly knows how to get the best out of her cast.

Lisa McCune plays M’Lynn with a beautiful balance of steely resilience and southern grace. Jessica Redmayne’s vibrant portrayal of Shelby exudes the innocence and stubbornness the character is loved for.

Mandy Bishop’s sense of comedic timing as Truvy is impeccable, as is Belinda Giblin’s interpretation of Ouiser. Her one-liners inspired some of the loudest laughs of the show.

Debra Lawrance plays Clairee with warmth and wry humour, while Lotte Beckett’s Annelle captures the character’s innocence and growth.

The ensemble shares an easy chemistry that carries the production; nothing feels forced. The audience reactions and eruptions of laughter throughout felt genuine and earned. Filled with iconic lines and jokes, it was like hearing them for the first time.

The set, by set and costume designer Simone Romaniuk, feels like a seventh character. Small details like shelves crowded with roller sets and hairspray, hooded hairdryers, and styling chairs transport the audience inside a 1980s home salon.

Costumes are charmingly authentic to those who remember the era. Sound by composer and sound designer Brady Watkins subtly supports the action without distracting from the lively dialogue.

Lighting by Paul Jackson further enhances the production. The warm glow of late afternoon light filtering through the glass-panelled door in certain scenes signals both changes in atmosphere as well as literal time.

In a world where big production values, computer animation, and elaborate staging compete for attention, this original 1987 play remains a standout.

Character-driven and with beautifully rich dialogue, the story of families and friends navigating life’s ups and downs in a small town connected intimately with the audience. Between Acts, the audience chatted animatedly. Words like ‘endearing’, ‘funny’, and ‘fantastic’ filtered through the chatter.

And outside, after a resounding standing ovation, perhaps the biggest compliment of all came in the chatter of the departing audience — a memory of a small-town salon, Saturday mornings, and the warm sense of friendship and community.

Steel Magnolias is presented by Woodward Productions and Neil Gooding Productions and runs to 10 May at the Playhouse, QPAC.

It then tours nationally, see details below.

Tickets: https://www.steelmagnoliasplay.com/tickets

Website: http://www.steelmagnoliasplay.com.au/

Socials: https://www.instagram.com/steelmagnoliasau/

Photo credits: Brett Boardman

2026 Australian Tour Dates

Brisbane 30 April – 10 May, Playhouse QPAC

Sydney 13 – 31 May, Theatre Royal

Wollongong 3 – 11 June, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre

Canberra 17 – 21 June, Canberra Theatre Centre

Perth 7 – 18 July, His Majesty’s Theatre

Melbourne 23 July – 9 August Athenaeum Theatre