Singer Pixie Lott made her West End debut as Marilyn Monroe in the play "Who Killed Marilyn?", celebrating the production's press night with her husband, Oliver Cheshire. The play, which aims to explore the life and death of the Hollywood icon, opened to a mixed reception from critics.
While Lott's portrayal of Monroe has garnered praise, the play itself received a less enthusiastic review from The Daily Mail's Patrick Marmion, who awarded it two out of five stars. Marmion described the production as having "all the drama of a Wikipedia entry" and noted that Lott's performance, while a "good fist" in a "zestless production," relied on impersonating Monroe's famous mannerisms without fully delving behind the iconic persona.
Despite the critical reception of the play, Lott embodied the legendary star with a bleached blonde bob and signature red lip. Following her performance, she changed into a pink and gold sheer gown for the after-party at the Emerald Theatre. She also posed with a vintage car featured in the show.
"I am absolutely thrilled to be stepping into the iconic shoes of Marilyn Monroe for Who Killed Marilyn?" Lott stated. "I have always loved Marilyn, she is such a fascinating, timeless legend, and bringing her complex story to life on this beautiful stage and being her every night is an absolute dream come true for me."
The production, written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen and directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, delves into Monroe's life and her death, officially ruled a probable suicide from a barbiturate overdose in 1962. The play also touches upon conspiracy theories surrounding her death.
This marks Lott's second venture into theatre. She previously played Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in 2016, a role that received positive reviews. "Who Killed Marilyn?" is scheduled to run at the Emerald Theatre until October 29. Lott, married to model Oliver Cheshire since 2022, also recently released new music and has two sons.