UK Theatre Network

An Actress Prepares, a verbatim rendering of Marilyn Monroe’s last ever interview, should theoretically make interesting viewing.  However in the hands of Bulgarian performer Irina Diva, it becomes a dreary self-absorbed rant that blurs any positive memories of the Iconic sex symbol.

Monroe would have been 85 earlier this month, and on the 17th August 1962 Life magazine published her final interview 'Last Talk with a Lonely Girl'. She was 36 years old, divorced for the third time, addicted to prescription drugs and starting to challenge her sex symbol image.

The evening starts with an announcement that the show may have to be cancelled as Irina Diva following in the tradition of Monroe, has failed to turn up. Then Ms.Diva arrives on stage in a scarf and dark glasses, and begins the monologue in her native accent. She has one stroke of genius, like Monroe she is naturally brunette, is simply speaking her words and makes no pretence of imitating the Icon.

Admittedly the first half of the interview is not that interesting as it reveals little new that hasn’t already been revealed about the star since her demise, but Diva gives it the kiss of death by delivering a one level interpretation, with no colour, light or shade. Ironically it is a fine example of an actress who hasn’t prepared as she talks at the audience rather than to them, seems disconnected from the text and displays little stage craft. It was mind numbingly dull, and my colleague had to be woken for the second half. The latter part is slightly livelier as Graham Elwell, gives a silent but compelling performance as the dresser, and Ms.Diva  makes moves towards creating the Monroe image. However she spends the rest of the show breaking one of the golden rules of theatre by performing with her back to the audience. As all rules are made to be broken this might have been dramatically interesting, but as Ms.Diva had already mainly failed to engage the audience while facing them, she completely loses her viewers facing the back wall.

Unfortunately this show reveals more about Ms. Diva than Monroe. That if a performer is unable to make the ultimate sacrifice – the ego – while on stage, truth is lost and so is the audience.

The cliental of the New End are a loyal lot,  and their absence from this production possibly reflects that the word is out -that they can have a more entertaining and cheaper evening at home listening to the Monroe interview on tape.

Without doubt the worst show I have seen this year.

OLIVER VALENTINE

New End Theatre