Marilyn Monroe is a magnetic misfit in Speculations, a spicy conspiracy drama full of bombshells

Torben Betts’s play *Speculations*, directed by Trevor Nunn, follows journalist Dorothy Kilgallen as she investigates theories linking Marilyn Monroe’s death to John and Robert Kennedy, organised crime and a political cover-up. The production matters chiefly as a fresh stage portrait of Monroe and Kilgallen, though its central conspiracy theories are familiar and the play leaves questions about Kilgallen’s own death unresolved.

Set in the 1960s, the story unfolds through Kilgallen’s conversations with Flo, an aspiring journalist, and flashbacks featuring Monroe, Robert Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald and crime boss Carlos Marcello. Janie Dee leads a strong cast, with Natalie Dunne singled out for portraying Monroe as vulnerable, angry and magnetic without relying on impersonation. The production runs at London’s Marylebone Theatre until 17 January.