Wild Yak and Marylebone Theatre have announced the full cast for the world premiere of Speculations, a new political thriller by Torben Betts exploring the mysteries surrounding the deaths of Marilyn Monroe, President John F. Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald.
Directed by Sir Trevor Nunn, the production will run for a strictly limited nine-week season at Marylebone Theatre from 30 October 2026 to 3 January 2027, with press night on 4 November.
As previously announced, Olivier Award winner Janie Dee will star as celebrated American journalist Dorothy Kilgallen. Joining her are Jolyon Coy as Bobby, Natalie Dunn as Norma Jean, Gloria Obianyo as Flo, Joseph Potter as Lee and Ferdy Roberts as Carlos.
Set in New York in 1965, Speculations follows Kilgallen as she investigates some of the most infamous deaths of the twentieth century. As she uncovers possible links between Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald, her search for the truth leads her into increasingly dangerous territory.
The production marks the latest collaboration between playwright Torben Betts and director Trevor Nunn, bringing a story of political intrigue, Hollywood glamour and true crime mystery to the London stage.
Trevor Nunn said, “For my entire professional career, I have been intrigued by contradictions concerning the assassination of President Kennedy and the death of Marilyn Monroe. Now, excitingly, I have the opportunity to investigate those shocking events by directing a new play by Torben Betts called Speculations. An important American journalist, Dorothy Kilgallen, became fascinated by those contradictions and it is her speculations (as played by Janie Dee) that we follow in this gripping new play.”
Torben Betts said, “I’ve never believed that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of JFK, and I’ve always found the circumstances surrounding Marilyn Monroe’s death deeply suspicious. But since discovering Dorothy Kilgallen and how her investigation began to uncover possible connections between these seemingly separate deaths, I’ve become convinced that hers is a story that needs to be told, and I’d like to do my small part as a playwright to give a voice back to a courageous woman I believe was silenced.”
Alexander Gifford, Artistic Director of Marylebone Theatre, said: “The Marylebone Theatre is becoming widely known as London’s new home for high-quality drama. Speculations by Torben Betts is another major new play by a great playwright at the peak of his powers, which I am sure will startle and entertain audiences. It is being brought to the stage by a stellar creative team, led by the legendary Trevor Nunn, starring one of our best-loved stage actresses, Janie Dee. I am confident it will be a worthy successor to our recent hit productions and another exciting offering for London.”
The creative team includes set and costume designer Lee Newby, lighting designer Johanna Town and sound designer Gregory Clarke.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
