Marilyn Monroe. Getty Images
She was a movie icon in her day with a love life that was splashed all over the papers, but there was so much more to Marilyn Monroe than we realise.
This year, the RTÉ Orchestra, along with acclaimed vocalist Katie Birtill, will showcase some of the actress's biggest hits from her most beloved movies, such as 'Some Like it Hot, 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' and 'There's No Business Like Show Business.'
The event will celebrate the centenary of the Hollywood star but will also show a side of her that not many hear.
Sitting down with Katie, she highlighted to EVOKE the sheer businesswoman behind the blonde exterior.
'Marilyn really wanted to be taken seriously as an actress, and she wanted to have a bit more control over her work. She got fed up with just being these blonde bimbos, which she did brilliantly well....Some people think that she was just these roles, but it was a very clever act, and I think people would be surprised to know that she ran away to New York and didn't tell Fox (whom she was signed to), and she set up her own production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions.'
'Through this production, we see this smart woman who knew how to use her brains and beauty to get ahead,
'The narrative of her just being this sort of vulnerable victim who was just taken advantage of, I think there is aspects of that, but also that she was very sensitive. She had a very tragic upbringing. People did take advantage of her, but she was very attuned to the game, and she played it.'
Katie, was originally going to become a doctor, before she realised the true love and admiration she had for the Arts.
Three years into her medical degree, she made the bold move to become a performer, something she has no regrets about.
While excited about the upcoming performance she makes it clear she is not a Marilyn Monroe impersonator but a performer who appreciates the talent of a woman who was a leading lady on and off the screen.
“I’m so excited to perform these lush, witty and sultry songs, wear the stunning gowns, and invite audiences into Marilyn’s dazzling world for a truly unforgettable night. Rather than playing Marilyn as a character, this show honours her as the extraordinary actress, singer and pioneering artist she was, with nods to her glamour and vocal style while celebrating the incredible legacy she left behind.”
So if you are a fan of the Hollywood icon and are ready to discover the brains and beauty that rocked the movie world, make sure to head along to the National Concert Hall on Thursday, June 4. You can purchase tickets by clicking here.
*This article was originally published on Evoke.ie.