DIRECTORS, like actors, must have a natural instinct for what they’re doing if they’re to be successful. Boo Feltham, here making her directorial debut, is clearly very instinctive indeed and this production will certainly go down as one of the best I have seen this year - and I’ve seen a few.

The fantastic and wonderfully detailed Louisiana “beauty parlour in a converted car port” set which greeted the audience as they walked into the auditorium was an indication of what was to come, and we were not to be disappointed.

A six-strong cast comprising Keely Campbell (Annelle), Carolyn Hewitt (Truvy), Chrissie Neal (Clairee), Tracey Nicholls (Shelby), Trish Ruff (M’Lynn) and Jan Stevenson (Ouiser) were all absolutely outstanding and utterly believable, really drawing us into their world of closeness, caring and tragedy. And the pace was such that the many one-liners were always given their full value, meaning that there were numerous laugh-out-loud moments to balance those that were tear-jerking.

The various sound effects were also extremely effective in suggesting that there was a real world beyond the parlour, and in my mind’s eye I’m still imagining Ouiser’s dog, pink-skinned having lost its hair, chained up outside.