STEEL Magnolias, the latest touring production from Bare Bones Theatre Company, is delivered in a very professional manner.

Written by Robert Harlin, the play is set in a fictional Louisiana town, where we follow the lives of six women who frequent a small-town beauty parlour.

Anyone familiar with the 1987 film version with Julia Roberts will know it is advisable to bring along a large box of tissues, because both the storyline and the performances will draw tears from even the most cynical eyes.

Bare Bones has stayed true to the ambitious production values that made its last show so impressive. In Shirley Valentine, chips appeared to by fried on stage. That has been topped in Steel Magnolias with a fully functioning hair salon - with hot running water.

Overall, the cast give powerful performances. Anna Whitney as Shelby, Sally Lomax as her mother M'Lynne, and Loraine Worrall as Truvy stood out within a very strong cast.

You can catch Steel Magnolias at Weobley Village Hall on March 4-5 and the Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, on March 11-12.

Jonathan Legg