Sultry, sexy, and smokin' hot, Marilyn takes to the stage once more. Don't tell her she's dead. Issy Van Randwyck has the mammoth task of bringing this icon back to life and does one hell of a fantastic job. No, she's not a perfect match to Monroe, (who is?!), but after five minutes you're so immersed in the captivating narrative that you genuinely won't care.The basic premise of the piece is Marilyn telling you her story in her own words. The setting is intimate, the small space transformed into the star's dressing room. Randwyck enters in true Monroe style, blonde, bubbly, skin tight, red dress and belting out a song. Yes, she can sing as well as act; the whole show punctuated with relevant, recognisable numbers. Oh, and funny? I couldn't stop laughing at her naive delivery of some rather saucy little witticisms.But this is no fairytale. This is Monroe at her most truthful. Soon after being lulled into that safe sense of trusting what you've been told, the star on stage snaps. She's blatant and unsubtle about being a compulsive liar. There are some astoundingly well acted scenes of Monroe battling her previous 'incarnation' Norma Jean in a schizophrenic rage. You see a side to the superstar that, although you've probably heard rumours, you didn't want to believe existed.It all feels like it's building to a crescendo and, of course, it is. That inevitable, tragic crescendo we all knew was coming. Her death is phenomenally well handled. It's both unsettling and emotional without being overblown and when she re-emerges for her final, posthumous farewell, the audience are silent and teary-eyed. This is a piece of theatre that will inform, arouse and evoke emotion in you like only Monroe can. As much as the applause at the end was for Randwyck, it was also for Marylin. After inspiring such a show as this, she would be so proud.
