"Steel Magnolias,'' best known as a 1990 film weeper starring Sally Field, Julia Roberts and Shirley MacLaine, was originally a theatrical work by US playwright Robert Harling.

And next week, the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society will be mounting a local production of the drama, which revolves around a small southern US hairdressing shop.

The cast, which is, as originally written by Harling, entirely female, includes Jane Brangman as the curmudgeonly Ouiser, Joan Hug as M'Lynn, Jeanette Freestone as Clairee, Carol Birch as Truvy, Juliana Horseman as Shelby and Stacey Whitecross as Annelle.

In the sole male role -- of sorts -- in the play, Arthur Lugo will provide offstage commentary as the Radio DJ.

"Steel Magnolias,'' which is being directed by Ian Birch and produced by Helen Coffey, represents the first major BMDS production of 1995 and will be staged at the Daylesford Theatre on April 18 to 29 at 8.00 p.m.

Tickets, which are available at Daylesford's box office, cost $10. There will be no performances on April 23 or 24.

"STEEL BAND'' -- Cast members in "Steel Magnolias,'' which is to be staged by the BMDS from April 18 to 29, include (standing from left) Carol Birch, Jeanette Freestone, Stacey Whitecross, Jane Brangman and Joan Hug (kneeling).

Seated (as Shelby) is Juliana Horseman.