Group 'steels' show with comedy set in hair salon

Afictional hair and beauty salon will be the setting for the final show of an amateur dramatic group's 50th anniversary year.

Scunthorpe-based Group 62 will perform Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling at the town's Invenio Academy from Thursday, November 22.

The show centres on Truvy's Beauty Parlour, in the south of the USA, and focuses on six women who regularly gather there.

Ellie McNeill, who stars in and produced the show, said it would provide mixed emotions for audience members.

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She said: "It is classed as a comedy but it has also got some heartwarming moments and a few sad moments.

"It has a bit of something for everybody.

"It is set in a hairdressing salon and follows the lives of six women – the owner, a girl who works for her and four regulars.

"There are some very funny lines in it but also some very poignant moments."

The story begins on the morning of the wedding of one of the show's main characters, Shelby.

It follows events over the next three years, including her decision to have a child despite having type one diabetes.

The show also includes an unlikely friendship and the double transformation of another character.

Mrs McNeill, who will play the role of M'Lynn and is also the group's secretary, said preparations for the show were going well.

She said: "We have got a few rehearsals left, so we are down to fine-tuning and getting the last-minute props together.

"We have all had to learn a southern American accent, which has been a challenge for some."

The show will mark the group's debut at the Invenio Academy, formerly known as Foxhills Technology College.

Mrs McNeill said: "We are only a very small group and we have done village halls lately.

"But we went to have a look around and it is a really nice little theatre they have got there, so we thought we would go for it."

Group 62 is run on a voluntary basis and has members in all age groups.

Steel Magnolias will be performed nightly from Thursday, November 22 to Saturday, November 24, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £7.50 each or two for £12 if booked in advance.

For more information or to book, e-mail elliemac20@yahoo.co.uk