*****
Sixty two years ago, JFK, an alleged paramour of Marilyn, declared his intention for the USA to go to the moon not “because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, and one which we intend to win”. All involved in this production have made a similar commitment to this show – and won, thanks to a five star performance from leading lady, Georgina Kerr Jones
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Sutton Arts are to be thoroughly congratulated on producing this play by local author Darren Haywood, that courage, to produce and support an unknown play by a relatively unknown author, was rewarded with a full house on opening night. There were easier options, Sutton Arts chose the challenging one.
Monroe was amongst the greatest cultural icons of the 20th Century, the glittering jewel in the Golden era of the silver screen. Her story is nuanced and complex, her beauty and charisma merely a veneer. Monroe was known to everyone, but someone that very few knew, in a time before social media and twenty four hour television. Consequently, there are numerous Monroes in the public consciousness. Haywood wisely dodges taking on the entire myth, instead taking on creating his own faction of her final day alive reprising a device used by Malcom Lowry in his novel “Under the Volcano”, a life in a day. Curiously the contemporaneous current film release “Back to Black” explores the tragic melodrama of Amy Winehouse’s life and death. So Haywood is on trend.
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Director Dexter Whitehead is faced with several challenges. This is a single set play with no action and little movement. There are only four actors. We all know the outcome- ( spoiler alert) she dies, so there is no jeopardy or dramatic tension. This is a Tragedy, it is not about if she dies, it is about how she dies. Whitehouse, skilfully and adeptly ekes the maximum out of this imbuing proceedings with a clawing sense of claustrophobia and omnipresent psychosis.
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At the heart of all this is Georgina Kerr Jones in the eponymous role, beautiful, sassy, and poised whilst simultaneously being neurotic, paranoid and helpless, her final hours punctuated by telephone calls and a pounding heartbeat.
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It is a hugely demanding role written almost as a series of monologues with minor interruptions by the supporting cast. Demanding physically, emotionally and artistically. Georgina, fortunately for both author and director, excels in this challenge. Set designer Mark Nattrass and Whitehead fill out her bedroom with a mesh torn curtain backdrop, periodically backlit illuminating memorabilia from her career as her dreams ,and life are torn from this world.
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Maureen George provides the vital glue to proceedings as the long suffering, but optimistic, housekeeper, Ailish Reel as Marilyn’s friend, quietly and unobtrusively Pat takes the pressure off Georgina without stealing the lime light. Rachel Marshall and Emily Armstrong are similarly deft in their costume choice from wardrobe, Marilyn in demure dusky pink nightwear, and Pat in a striking A line hooped brightly coloured sleeveless shift dress. Mark Nattrass as Marilyn’s Doctor affords a third party perspective on her neurosis whilst bewilderingly eschewing the opportunity of an evening with the scantily clad Marilyn in favour of an evening with his wife.
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A warm and generous closing ovation from an appreciative audience vindicated Sutton Arts decision to put on this production, and the commitment and energy of all in realising it. The best bit? You get to take your own Marilyn Monroe home with you after.
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Marilyn has trouble sleeping during the show, an exhausted, but artistically satisfied, Georgina will have no trouble sleeping after it. Runs until Saturday 4th May.
Garyswordz 