Pixie Lott Emulates Marilyn Monroe in New West End Play

Singer Pixie Lott has taken on the persona of Marilyn Monroe for her latest West End role in the production "Who Killed Marilyn?" at the Emerald Theatre. Lott shared behind-the-scenes images on Instagram, showcasing her transformation into the legendary actress with a blonde wig, Monroe's signature beauty mark, and red lipstick. "Marilyn diaries," she captioned the post.

The play, written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen and directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, delves into the life and death of Monroe, which was officially ruled a probable suicide. However, the production itself has received a lukewarm critical reception. In a review for the Daily Mail, Patrick Marmion awarded the play two stars, describing it as having "all the drama of a Wikipedia entry."

Marmion noted that while Lott delivers a commendable performance, her portrayal occasionally relies on excessive use of Monroe's famous breathy intonation and flirtatious mannerisms, which he felt reinforce the myth rather than revealing the woman behind it. Despite these critiques, the review acknowledged that Lott's performance becomes increasingly emotionally charged throughout the 140-minute production, culminating in a psychological epiphany.

Lott expressed her enthusiasm for the role, calling it a "dream come true" to embody such a "fascinating, timeless legend." She aims to bring the "mystery, the glamour, and the raw emotion" of Monroe's complex story to the stage.

"Who Killed Marilyn?" explores conspiracy theories surrounding Monroe's death in 1962, including alleged affairs with President John F. Kennedy and theories of organized crime involvement. Monroe was found dead at her Los Angeles home on August 5, 1962, at the age of 36.

This marks Lott's second foray into theatre, following her role as Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in 2016, which received positive reviews. The singer, who rose to fame in 2009 with her debut single "Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)", is also releasing new music this summer. The cast of "Who Killed Marilyn?" includes Benjamin Dilloway, who portrays Monroe's second husband, playwright Arthur Miller. The production is scheduled to run at the Emerald Theatre until October 29.

Lott has previously spoken about her admiration for Monroe, noting a desire for the era of mystery that surrounded celebrities before the digital age. In a 2016 interview, she stated that stars were less accessible then, without the constant presence of social media, and that much about Monroe remains unknown.