The daughter of the late Welsh BAFTA winning actor and number 1 hit singer Brian Hibbard is taking her own steps on to the stage in a forthcoming presentation to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s passing.
Hafwen Hibbard is to play young Norma Jeane in a rehearsed reading of ‘One Night with Marilyn’ by PT Rose on September 23rd & 24th at The Old Library, Splott in Cardiff.
Hafwen’s father Brian is best remembered for his many acting roles on television including roles in Coronation Street, Doctor Who and Making Out. He won a Welsh BAFTA in 2006 for his role in the comedy, Little White Lies.
In 1983, with the vocal group The Flying Pickets, Brian reached No.1in the UK Charts with Only You. He was also a regular attraction in pantomime across South Wales for several years. Brian sadly passed away in 2012 at the age of 65.
Working On Stage Has Special Significance For Young Actress
Hafwen recalls ‘Some of my favourite childhood memories are from going to see my dad in shows. Watching him have so much fun on stage inspired me to do the same.
‘I first started performing in school shows, running around the stage dressed as an octopus or a poodle or a donkey. It brought me so much joy and that love for performing continued to grow.
‘After my dad passed away, being on stage meant so much more to me, it feels like a release, and it’s where I feel most connected to him. I am now raising money to attend a drama school in New York, trying to become the best actor I can be. I am really excited to be playing young Norma Jeane in the years before she became the movie star Marilyn Monroe!’
One Night With Marilyn Part Of Worldwide Project
Cardiff’s Executive Producer for One Night with Marilyn Teresa McCarthy said: ‘I was so pleased when Hafwen agreed to play Norma Jeane.
I had thought to ask her to join the cast in the role as I had seen her perform on stage and knew how amazing she was but also knew she was always busy working on projects. However luckily for us she jumped at the opportunity which made me jump for joy!’
Karen Struel- White, KSW Network Producer of One Night with Marilyn said: ‘The Cardiff rehearsed read will be part of the of the WORLDWIDE ‘Marilyn 60’ celebrations of the star’s life. There are already planned reads across the UK, Mumbai, Lucknow, Dehli, New York, San Francisco, and Connecticut. The script has also been translated into over 22 languages including Russian, Spanish, Hebrew, Turkish and Hindi proving beyond doubt Marilyn will always be a GLOBAL icon.
‘We are delighted to have talented Hafwen in the cast and it is so exciting to see her following in her late father’s footsteps’
One Night with Marilyn Revisits Monroe’s Personal Experience
One Night with Marilyn by PT Rose looks at Marilyn Monroe’s little publicised experience when she was sectioned to the Payne Whitney Clinic, the psychiatric division of Cornell University New York during February 1961.
Marilyn was under the impression she was being sent for some rest and recuperation by her trusted doctor. However, her friends and psychiatrist were concerned by her claims of ‘ending it all’ and a growing complex that she was going insane. Friends noticed that occasionally Marilyn behaved as if pre-occupied by ‘voices’ she claimed to be speaking to her.
The play is about what may have happened on that night, as withdrawal symptoms from her many drugs begin to take effect and is seen from her own perspective.
- For further details on One Night with Marilyn visit http://onenightwithmarilyn.com/marilyn-60.html