Full Breakdown
Who Killed Marilyn? – A Review of the Emerald Theatre Production
8/21/2026, 9:50:31 PM
Production Overview
The West End drama *Who Killed Marilyn?* opened at London’s Emerald Theatre in August 2026. Pop-star Pixie Lott headlines as Marilyn Monroe, delivering the role in a bouffant wig and white pedal-pushers that echo the iconic dress from *The Seven Year Itch*. The play was written by Sharlene Cooper Cohen, directed by Philip Wm McKinley, with set design by Justin William, costumes by Jasmine Swan, and a supporting cast that includes Henry Proffit as Joe DiMaggio, Ben Dilloway as Arthur Miller, Paul Kane as Bobby Kennedy, and Ryan Ellsworth as Monroe’s psychiatrist.
Narrative Focus and Historical Context
Cohen’s script offers a rapid, “whistlestop” tour of Monroe’s brief life, interweaving documented marriages with speculative crime drama surrounding her 1962 death. (as reported by *What’s On Stage*). The play therefore foregrounds the long-standing conspiracy theories that link Monroe’s death to the Kennedy family, the mafia, and other alleged “kompromat.”
Critical Reception
Both reviews characterize the production as superficial.
Design and Staging Details
Critics also fault the visual elements. *What’s On Stage* observes that Lott’s costume, made of “plasticky material,” looks cheap, while the men’s costumes appear stained with paint or ink in an attempt to suggest corruption that instead looks untidy. *The Guardian* similarly remarks that the production feels like “a Monroe-themed Halloween pageant.”
Interpretation and Impact
The reviewers agree that the play adds little new insight into Monroe’s personal history, opting instead for a series of familiar myths and sensationalist speculation. By presenting a “prurient” version of Monroe’s life that leans heavily on conspiracy theory, the production reinforces the saturation of her mythologisation rather than challenging it. As a result, the drama is seen as a missed opportunity to explore the deeper psychological and cultural forces that shaped the iconic star.
