Marilyn Monroe, the blonde bombshell, American actress, model, singer and sex symbol of the 1950s, is the subject of a new one woman show, currently touring the UK.

The hit West End show, Marilyn, is heading for Swindon’s Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town, on Thursday March 21, when the Breakthrough Theatre presents Danielle J Gearing as the icon.

The playful and poignant play unravels the mysteries of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic status and the girl behind the mask - in her own words. The play focuses on Marilyn as she sits alone in her dressing room.

Danielle is the founder of Breakthrough Theatre. She said: “We are very proud of what a success this show has become and I am loving getting to put that blonde wig on and share this fascinating women’s story with audiences around the country!’’

Marilyn grew up in Los Angeles, spending most of her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage. She married when she was just 16-years-old. While working in a radio plane factory in 1944 as part of the war effort, she met a photographer from the First Motion Picture Unit and through him Marilyn began modelling. She then won film contracts with Twentieth Century-Fox and Columbia Pictures - a star was born. But beneath the glitz of Hollywood the star struggled with substance abuse, depression, and anxiety, along with two more marriages and divorces to baseball star Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller.

Danielle aims to show the two sides of Marilyn in this drama about the legendary star who died in 1962 at the age of 36.

Danielle said: “We’ve had such an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences so far and cannot wait to bring our show to Swindon!”

Tickets for Marilyn at £15 are available from 01793 524 481 or www.swindontheatres.co.uk