EDINBURGH FRINGE: Motorhome Marilyn at the Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose (Downstairs)****

Michelle Collins knows how to do resentful and vindictive.

She’s been wreaking havoc as Cindy Beale in BBC’s EastEnders off and on for more than 30 years so she’s well practised..

But in this dark comedy we see different sides to her – as a singer and as an aging Marilyn Monroe impersonator, both of which she does convincingly.

But the whining voice of Cindy Beale isn’t far away as Denise recounts her life’s ups and downs (mainly downs) to Bobby (which I eventually worked out was a python in its little box).

She’s had a hard life and she’s all about revenge.

Although it’s a solo show (not counting Bobby) it’s a busy stage, packed full of Marilyn memorabilia, and several costume changes, maybe reflecting the chaotic lifestyle Denise has lived.

It’s hardly a barrel of laughs but it’s good to see a soap star up close and personal making her Fringe debut. And seeing as she’s still appearing in recent episodes of EastEnders I have so much admiration for her having learnt, at the same time, what is basically an hour-long monologue.

Motorhome Marilyn is on at 5.30pm until Aug 25 at the Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose (1 hr) www.gildedballoon.co.uk