Michelle Collins, best known for her iconic role as the manipulative Cindy Beale on EastEnders, recently appeared on ITV’s Lorraine to discuss her enduring career and her recent creative challenges. While teasing Cindy’s current marriage proposal storyline with Max Branning—which she describes as potentially “complete and utter heaven or… a marriage made in hell”—the 64-year-old actress also opened up about the intense pressure of her recent stage project, Motorhome Marilyn.
Pushing Boundaries with Motorhome Marilyn
Performed at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Motorhome Marilyn saw Michelle portraying Denise, a former aspiring actress hustling as a Marilyn Monroe street impersonator in Los Angeles. The play, written by Ben Weatherill, delves into the heavy themes of aging, unfulfilled dreams, and the psychological weight of living in the shadow of a Hollywood icon.
Reflecting on the experience, Michelle admitted it was the most difficult challenge of her acting career:
- The production required her to be the sole actor on stage while simultaneously serving as the producer.
- She was balancing these responsibilities while actively filming EastEnders.
- The stress of learning the hour-long script was so significant that her husband questioned if she should be putting herself through it.
- Despite the struggle, she remained determined to push out of her comfort zone, emphasizing the importance of staying creative at any age.
Looking Ahead: A London Debut
Michelle revealed her hopes to bring Motorhome Marilyn to London. Since the Edinburgh Fringe production was strictly limited to one hour to avoid fines, she is currently working with writer Ben Weatherill to extend the play. Feeling that the timing is finally right, she expressed her readiness to take the show to the London stage.
