THE Harlequin Players never miss a trick when it comes to authentic set design.

Imagine the scene, a ladies' hair salon, complete in every detail. Hair driers, mirrors and hot running water.

Moreover, the setting brilliantly re-created a sunny small-town atmosphere.

This was achieved by a marvellous mixture of off-stage sounds, background music and lighting which flooded from the outer doors..

Steel Magnolias is about the lives of six characterful women whose regular visits to a beauty parlour gives them a chance to gossip and share womanly secrets.

There are only six women in the cast who have to maintain a Louisiana accent throughout and on the whole this came off really well.

There's a lot of wise-cracks and the script is full of wit and good humour.

Occasionally good punch-lines didn't quite hit the mark. A little more volume and wacky confidence could have achieved even greater effect, though this is only a quibble.

Clearly the cast relished the chance to portray these uninhibited women and their pithy pleasure permeated the audience.

Their was much genuine laughter and in the sadder moments you could have heard a pin drop!

As Truvy, the owner of the salon, Elan Williams brought out her character superbly.

Stacey Hirst as the gormless Annelle was absolutely perfect - a character who evolved from a shrinking violet into a woman of hilarious eccentricity - a real gem of a performance.

Jenny Hindmarch was immensely convincing as Clairee, the dauntless widow whose attitude to life is to enjoy everything while maintaining a sane calming influence on others.

The centre of attention is Shelby, the headstrong southern belle, constantly under the watchful eye of her mother, M'Lynn.

These roles were played with strength and vivacity by Lorraine Shuker and by Caroline Young.

Finally there was Ouiser, the eccentric and cantankerous dog-owner, never short of a cynical and hilarious one-liner - played strongly by Hilary Norval.

Well done everybody!