Review: ‘The Marilyn Conspiracy.’

By Vicki McKellar and Guy Masterson.

The Park Theatre
Clifton Terrace
Finsbury Park
London N4 3JP

Genevieve Gaunt as Marilyn Monroe.

🍷🍷🍷🍷 – 4 out of 5 glasses of Champagne. (Dom, obviously)

Full disclosure – I’ve seen various incarnations and workshops of this production and I know both the writers, director and many of the cast very well. 

And Who-dunnits are not really my thing but you don’t need to be a fan of Agatha Christie or true-crime drama (or a conspiracy theorist!) to enjoy this intriguing and professional slice of theatre at The Park. 

It concerns the death of Marilyn Monroe, world famous screen icon actor, writer and producer who died at home at the age of 36 on the 5th August 1962. The cause was attributed to an overdose of barbiturates. The official time of death was ruled to be at 3:50 in the morning. Neither can actually be confirmed. But further examination revealed that she’d passed away between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. the night before, so at least five hours had already elapsed between Marilyn’s alleged suicide and its being reported to the police, making countless conspiracy theories float around ever since.

Co-writer Vikki McKellar has been drawn to Monroe for many years and meeting with director Guy Masterson gave this show the impetus to get it made – first in Edinburgh and now as a full production in London.

And it looks and sounds great – with a clever revolving stage and a hugely talented cast. It’s not just because I know some of them either; the cast are universally flawless and hugely watchable. Director Masterson knows his actors! I particularly liked the ‘girly’ scenes between Marilyn and her pr/best friend, Pat. (Susie Amy) (One scene involves a Big O!)

A show about what might have been and why that is the case will always attract conjecture and if there is one small niggle, maybe this show is overlong and some of the plot points could be contracted. But the woman sitting next to me in the theatre told me her friend had told her about it and word of mouth is the best recommendation!

So get to the Park Theatre and fall in love with Marilyn Monroe again, 60 years after her death. And learn about your do-do-be-do!

Tickets and further information.