Marilyn: The Woman Behind The Icon – Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London

Writer, Book & Lyrics: Andrea Milton-Furlotti

Music: Tom Fowkes

Directors: Laura Shipler, Chico & Andrea Milton-Furlotti

Marilyn Monroe – the American “blonde bombshell” sex symbol, actress, model, and icon who is still a firm embodiment of the 1950s.

Presented as Marilyn at 100 years old (Donna King), looking back on her life since she was a child, audiences see a young Norma Jeane (Alice Mayer) struggling through childhood in foster homes and an orphanage, before being shipped off to World War II to work on a factory floor. It was here she was scouted as a model, and her illustrious career under the stage name of Marilyn Monroe began – from acting, pin-up shoots and Playboy covers, before impressively founding her own production company. Alongside her successful career, she was also known for her troubled private life – her chequered relationship with baseball star Joe DiMaggio (Jamie Withers), her admittance into a psychiatric ward after a struggle with addiction and the eventual overdose that led to her death.

Andrea Milton-Furlotti’s storyline covers this whistlestop Wikipedia-style run-through of these key events that Marilyn endured, alongside a sprinkling of original songs and music between scenes. Audiences already well aware of her intriguing life won’t be walking away with any new insights, while those who have very little background of her get only brief snapshots of each moment.

Despite some of it being dazzling or surprising, it’s all presented surprisingly matter-of-factly, a rushed series of events, devoid of much emotion or pizazz, which hinders an audience’s overall investment in the narrative. This would possibly work for fans who know the ins & outs well, but for most, it would be more enjoyable with more in-depth, emotive scenes that really convey the heart of the events that Marilyn went through, to better build the picture of her life and deliver a stronger connection to the subject matter.

A lot of time is spent on Marilyn’s transitions from Norma Jeane, and how Marilyn is just a persona she puts on, but as the title suggests, it’s the woman behind the icon that is the interesting perspective, so focusing significant time on how the icon is a façade is a curious choice in comparison to better portraying her surprising childhood, or complex, interpersonal relationships. Mayer embodies Marilyn well, though, and the montage where she recites key lines from various movies is enjoyable, highlighting the vast career she had. Mayer’s energy shift from Norma to Marilyn is also easily distinguishable, ensuring that when she does ‘switch it on’ to become Marilyn, she captures the charm and charisma that Monroe embodied.

The songs, created by Milton-Furlotti, are beautifully performed with a piano live on stage by Tom Fowkes. The lyrics are very on the nose and do occasionally feel a little shoe-horned in, though they do help to progress the narrative somewhat as it moves through the various life stages. Overall, though, despite the undeniably fascinating subject, this chronological tribute is entertaining enough, but without the emotional depth, it becomes a somewhat distant portrayal of the Hollywood starlet.

Runs until 24 May 2026