A rehearsed reading play about Marilyn Monroe is taking place in Bromley next month – and it is hoped it will go from south east London and global rehearsals, to the West End.
One Night with Marilyn, written by P.T. Rose, is a play which touches on a moment in Marilyn Monroe’s life that “not many people know about”.
It reveals her battle with mental health issues and being sectioned in a mental health facility without her knowledge.
The play is part of the writer’s Hollywood trilogy and is being performed as rehearsed readings all over the world for audience feedback.
Harleen Grover, executive producer of the play and the actor playing Marilyn, says PT Rose would want it to be performed in the West End one day.
She told the News Shopper: “The rehearsed reading of the same play is happening in multiple locations in this country and also globally.
“It’ll take place in other parts of London, York, the Isle of Wight and parts of the USA.
“Each regional production has its own actors and producers but we’ll all be reading the same script.
“At the end of each rehearsed reading, the audiences will be invited to give feedback to then inform the script going forward.
“The goal would be for a fully produced show in Bromley and south east London, perhaps a film longer term for the production company and for P.T. Rose, a West End play.”
The rehearsed reading is taking place on September 25 at Bromley Little Theatre and is free for audiences to attend.
Actors will have their scripts with them but will still fully perform and play their parts – along with a musical element to accompany the show.
An open-mic will then invite feedback from the audience.
Harleen added: “This is something that, as an audience, you very rarely, if at all, get to see and you hardly ever get to contribute your thoughts to inform a final production.”
Harleen is of Indian descent, and has been cast as blonde, white Marilyn Monroe.
She said this is “true colour-blind casting”.
She explained: “It’s very unique that I’ve been cast to play this part and who knows how people will feel about it – I’m sure there will be two sides of the camp.
“It shows progress on a local level in south east London and in Bromley.
“The play is also relatable because it’s about a dark and disturbed Marilyn that no one has seen that battles with mental health issues.
“Mental health relates to the pandemic, and is a huge thing at the moment including locally.
“People now coming out of lockdown have their fears and have all been affected by it so it’s a very relatable subject.”
Harleen has been working as an actor for a number of years, and like many others in the industry, her profession was hit badly by coronavirus.
She added: “I’m really excited to get back to working and putting some art out there and bringing that to the local residents.
“I just feel so fortunate that P.T. Rose has had the confidence in me to say he wants me to be the executive producer and to take a lead role in the play.
“It feels incredible and any actor would feel so privileged to play such an icon – a global icon.”
Harleen can be found on Twitter at @harleengrover for all updates about the play.
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