Intriguing take on death of Marilyn Monroe

Who Killed Marilyn? Emerald Theatre, London Pixie Lott dominates this play about the life and ultimately death of Marilyn Monroe. The play comes at a timely moment, namely, the 100th anniversary of Marilyn's birth. Something, also being marked by an excellent exhibition Marilyn Monroe - a Portrait at the nearby National Portrait Gallery. A lot is packed into the two hour plus play, that runs through the life and loves of this 20th century icon. Heavy on conspiracy theories, this multi-layered depiction also addresses the insecurity of Monroe's life. Her demons, born of a troubled upbringing. Totally in control of her image when modelling, she struggles to get the recognition she feels warranted as an actress. Always the sex symbol, rather than the actress. Confident, yet vulnerable. The sense of conspiracy comes from the involvement with President John F Kennedy and his brother Robert Kennedy. Indeed, the production could arguably be perceived as a roller coaster of 60s conspiracies. The closeness of relationship between the shady worlds of politics, organised crime, law enforcement and showbiz is well captured. Mafia boss Sam Giancana, seemingly implicated in the demise of Marilyn, with J Edgar Hoover'' s FBI in the background extracting leverage, particularly on the Kennedys. Giancana and the mob were also later rumoured to have played a role in the assassination of JFK. The production is well put together by director Philip Wm McKinley. Everything , though, centres around Lott. The narrative is strong running through Marilyn's life's and loves, from baseball player Joe Di Maggio to playwright Arthur Miller and the Kennedy's. There are the cheesey moments, like when in the throws of passion Monroe asks JFK to repeat the part of his Presidential address: "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.' Maybe, an ironic nod that Kennedy's multiple partners were serving their country. The whole play centres around a static set, made up of the bed, where Marilyn died. Lott is the narrator throughout, shimmering from one scene to the next. One criticism would be that maybe there is too much swapping around of characters, with all but Lott and Ryan Ellsworth (Dr Ralph Greens on) having multiple roles. So Julie Armstrong plays housekeeper Eunice and J Edgar Hoover, while Simon Bass is Arthur Jacobs, Frank Otash, Joe Kennedy and Lawrence Olivier. This can give a certain cramped feel. The lighting applied adds a sinister element. The production is narrow in that it does not stray much beyond Marilyn's sex life, there could have been more depth. Overall this is a production certainly worth seeing. An intriguing conspiracy tale, sown together by writer, Sharleen Cooper Cohen. It certainly raises questions about what really happened to Marilyn. Well directed and executed by a good cast. But it is Pixie Lott who steals the show.