A MARILYN Monroe lookalike is set to share the stage with a jaw-dropping celebrity cast at the first cabaret show to open in London’s iconic West End this year.

Isabella Bliss, who is from Pitsea, heads to Proud Embankment this week for her first performance since December following the easing of lockdown.

She will be performing alongside a host of big names including Basildon’s Denise Van Outen, Duncan James from Blue and panto legend Julian Clary.

Ms Bliss says she was left “utterly devastated” when Covid hit and she was forced out of work for the majority of last year – only performing in brief gaps between lockdowns.

Now returning for one of her biggest shows yet, the performer is set to take her performance to the next level adding a series of lifts and backing dancers for the first time.

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The 34-year-old said: “I’m actually starting to lose the ability to put into words how excited I am to get back to out there.

“The first few times going into rehearsals with heels was definitely a challenge after such a long time, but it felt so good to be doing what I love.

“It’s such an incredible honour to work with these amazing people, and to be duetting with Duncan is something I never thought I’d get to do.

“There’s new choreography and three big lifts, but I’m ready for the challenge and feel so blessed to be a part of it.”

Although overjoyed by her return to theatre, the performer is praying she won’t see a repeat of December when venues were open for just two weeks before closing again.

Ms Bliss will perform in tomorrow’s show, with the venue re-opening fully for the first time since December on Thursday.

She continued: “We were only able to open for three months over the summer and for a short time at Christmas. Even through the Second World War theatre continued in the Blitz.

“It really was like having the rug pulled from underneath me, I’m not sure how I’d cope if I ever had to go through that again.”

The latest stage of the Government’s road map out of lockdown saw restrictions further lifted on Monday, allowing pubs and bars to serve guests inside.