Michelle Collins to make Edinburgh Fringe Debut in Motorhome Marilyn

Michelle Collins will make her Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut this summer in Motorhome Marilyn, a dark & funny new play by Ben Weatherill (Frank and Percy).

The production runs at Doonstairs, Gilded Balloon Patter House, from 30 July to 25 August 2025.

The play, inspired by a real-life encounter Collins had in Los Angeles, follows Denise, an aspiring actress obsessed with Marilyn Monroe. As Denise’s dreams of Hollywood success fade, she is forced to confront the emotional cost of living in the shadow of an icon — grappling with failure, aging, and unrealised ambition.

Collins, known for her long-standing television career including EastEnders, Coronation Street, and Doctor Who, described the project as “so close to my heart.” She added: “When I encountered the show’s real-life namesake out in LA, I couldn’t have imagined that journey would lead me to this point. However, thanks to Ben’s, and my late friend Stuart’s, wonderful writing, I can’t wait to share this story with Edinburgh audiences this summer.”

Michelle’s theatre credits include theatre work includes Daddy Cool, Rattle of a Simple Man, Calendar Girls, The Play What I Wrote, Never Forget (West End), How Love is Spelt and A Dark Night in Dalston (Park Theatre, also producer). She has also appeared in Cluedo, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and more. In film, she’s featured in Personal Services, Stephen, The Long Walk, and Blackpool, which she also produced.

Publicity photos

Written by Weatherill after Stuart Permutt and based on an idea by Collins, Motorhome Marilyn is directed by Alexandra Spencer-Jones, with sound design by Sam Baxter and Anna-Lisa Maree as Company Stage Manager.

Weatherill’s most recent play, Frank and Percy, starred Ian McKellen and Roger Allam, offering a poignant and witty exploration of an unexpected friendship that develops between two men who meet while walking their dogs.

Motorhome Marilyn runs at Doonstairs, Gilded Balloon Patter House, Edinburgh from 30 July to 25 August 2025.

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Main photo: Michelle Collins publicity shot for Motorhome Marilyn photo Michael Wharley