Mischa Barton to star on Black Box stage

By Kernan Andrews

MISCHA BARTON, best known for her roles in The OC and The Beautiful Life, takes to the stage of the Black Box Theatre in Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias.

Steel Magnolias is a comedy–drama about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana who gather in Truvy’s Beauty Salon. Playwright Robert Harling based the story on his experience of the death of his sister.

Mischa Barton will play Shelby Eatenton, a diabetic, who, following her fairy-tale wedding, risks her life by having a baby. Although her career began on the stage, this production will be Mischa’s debut Irish theatre performance. The actress has strong Irish connections as her mother is Irishwoman Nuala Quinn.

A number of other well known faces will also be starring in the play. Anne Charleston, best known as Madge in Neighbours, and more recently for playing Lily Butterfield in Emmerdale, takes on the role of the eccentric and grumpy Ouiser Boudreaux in Steel Magnolias.

Barbara Brennan, who plays M’Lynn, is a veteran of the Abbey, Gate, and Peacock theatre stages, and she has appeared in The Tudors and Veronica Guerin. Gillian Hanna has enjoyed a theatre of more than 40 years and her TV and film credits include Casualty, Drop The Dead Donkey, Poirot, Brookside, and Mr Nice.

Steel Magnolias will be directed by acclaimed Irish theatre director Ben Barnes. Producer Anna Fox says of the play: “For 1980s nostalgia, female solidarity, and a measured study in human relationships, Steel Magnolias has something for everyone, and this major Irish production has a strong line-up of top Irish and international actresses who will more than bring the story to life.”

Steel Magnolias is at the Black Box frm Thurday October 11 to Sunday 13 at 8pm with a Saturday matinee at 3pm. Tickets are available from the Town Hall on 091 - 569777 and www.tht.ie