SHOWSTOPPER, Dan Rebellato's intriguing comedy about one of Hollywood's best kept secrets, is playing at The Riverfront, Newport, on Thursday, February 23 at 7.30pm as part of its national tour.

Showstopper is inspired by the life of Marni Nixon, unknown 'star' of the golden age of musicals, who provided the singing voice behind Deborah Kerr, Marilyn Monroe and, most famously, Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady.

As Hollywood's best kept secret, Nixon, though rarely seen on screen, nevertheless played a prominent part in the great Hollywood musicals, including the King and I and West Side Story.

Taking Nixon's story as inspiration, Dan Rebellato's show centres on the fictional Carole James, an English ex-pat living in Hollywood, whose dreams of fame draw her dangerously into the life of her idol, Audrey Hepburn.

First performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1996, Showstopper has caught the attention of audiences across Britain, and was described by the News of the World as, 'a little gem worth making a big noise about.'

Nicolas Young, theatre and arts director at The Riverfront says: "We're delighted to be able to bring this show to The Riverfront as part of our spring season line-up. A must for all fans of Hollywood, cinema and musicals, it works with ideas on the real nature of fame and love, and offers an intriguing insight to a little known piece of Hollywood history."

The witty one-woman play stars Olivier award nominated actress Rebecca Thornhill, who stars at the Riverfront after a string of West End appearances including Chicago, Oklahoma! and The Full Monty.

Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds will be paying a return visit to The Riverfront after performing Old Herbaceous in 2005.

Tickets start from £5. Call the box office on 01633 656757.