Park Theatre, London – until 27 July 2024
Reviewed by Sitarah Locke
4****
Retellings of Marilyn Munroe’s demise are not nearly as rare as she was, and it is refreshing to encounter one which paints her with dignity. This version of events, written by Vicki McKellar and Guy Masterson, seeks to explain what may have taken place at Munroe’s Hollywood bungalow between the hours of 10pm and 4:20am on 4th and 5th August 1962. Thus, in true thriller fashion, it unravels a timestamped mystery behind why the same seven figures who toasted her latest picture deal three days earlier, all wind up in her home again that fateful night…and what they are doing during those misplaced hours before finally phoning the police.
The whole thing takes place in Marilyn’s living room – which hosts all the class and gold trim of a starlet’s house, made home by her booze and books (hat tip to set designer Sarah June Mills). The stage itself is in the round and turns slowly throughout the performance, as the characters spiral and replay the night’s events.
Two corresponding timelines, just a few hours apart, also take turns – a smart way of breaking up what would otherwise be a long evening of seven actors on sofas. This gives Marilyn Munroe (Genevieve Gaunt) herself some stage time, whilst very much alive. Gaunt’s masterful portrayal balances Munroe’s fragile mental state and distrust with a determinedness to defend her honour and beliefs. The force of nature is played as such, and not as simply the gullible beauty that some other interpretations have defaulted to. While entertaining us with the glitz, glam and famous sass, Gaunt also succeeds in the harder task of making Munroe entirely relatable.
She is helped in this by a close-knit cast. Notable performances include Susie Amy as a convincing Pat Newcomb, Marilyn’s press secretary and friend who fiercely defends her in life and death. Declan Bennett creates chemistry with every member of the cast as actor Peter Lawford, dancing between devil’s advocate and devil. Meanwhile, Sally Mortemore gives a standout performance as housekeeper Eunice Murray. Although Murray herself was one of the least standout personalities among Marilyn’s usual company, she played a key role in her daily life…and in recounting her death.
A thriller it may be, but the night was not without several laughs from the audience. How can we not? Marilyn herself was a magnetic entertainer, and entertained we were. While this play focuses solely on her death, it reminds us that she was – and always will be – larger than life.