Wild Yak and Marylebone Theatre have announced the world premiere of Speculations, a new political thriller by Torben Betts, which will run at Marylebone Theatre from 30 October 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Directed by Sir Trevor Nunn, the production stars Olivier Award winner Janie Dee as celebrated American journalist Dorothy Kilgallen, whose investigation into some of the most infamous deaths of the twentieth century forms the basis of the drama.
Set in New York in 1965, Speculations follows Kilgallen as she pursues what she believes could be the biggest story of her career, exploring possible links between the deaths of Marilyn Monroe, President John F. Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald.
As she moves closer to uncovering the truth, Kilgallen finds herself facing increasing danger, forcing her to consider how much she is willing to risk in pursuit of a story that powerful people would rather keep hidden.
The production features set and costume design by Lee Newby, lighting design by Johanna Town and sound design by Gregory Clarke. Further casting is set to be announced.
Director 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.”
Writer 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.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
