Theatre review: Marilyn and Ella | Apollo Theatre | Bonnie Greer | Marilyn Monroe

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The Review - THEATRE by JOSH LOEB
Published: 13 November 2009

Marilyn and Ella Apollo Theatre

Politics behind Monroe legend

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MARILYN AND ELLA
Apollo Theatre

There was more to Marilyn than her peroxide hair, busty physique, and “babe” status according to American writer Bonnie Greer, whose new play Marilyn and Ella will make its London premier at the Apollo later this month.
Greer was inspired to write the play, which she describes as “a perfect little gem – not too long, with a lot of songs and a very beautiful storyline” after stumbling upon the story of how the troubled pin-up helped black singer Ella Fitzgerald get gigs in “white only” clubs.
Greer told the West End Extra: “Marilyn got Ella a job in a nightclub on the West Coast and broke the colour bar. In 1955, if you were coloured, you couldn’t play in certain clubs.
“I came across the story because of a split-second mention of it in a documentary; I’d never realised Marilyn had been interested in anything other than herself, so to speak, and what emerged was this incredible story of friendship.”
Greer, who recently appeared on the controversial episode of Question Time which featured BNP leader Nick Griffin, said Marilyn and Ella was a political play, but “not of the ‘shove it down your throat’ kind”. It includes many popular Marilyn and Ella songs, including My Funny Valentine, and Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend.
•Marilyn and Ella will play at the Apollo Theatre on 15th, 22nd and 29th November with performances at 15.30 (only 22nd and 29th) and 19.30.
0844 209 1805

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