AN Olivier award-winning comedy, which mixes northern grit with Hollywood glamour, kicks off the autumn season at the Wharf Theatre in Devizes, running from tomorrow night (Friday sep 23) until October 1.

Shy northern lass, Little Voice, spends her time hidden away engrossed in her late father's record collection and trying to avoid her loud and ballsy mother, Mari. In her attic bedroom she's hiding a talent for pitch-perfect impersonations of the great divas Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland and Shirley Bassey.

When Mari's latest fancy-man, the never so subtle Ray Say, overhears Little Voice's incredible singing, he's determined to make her a star. But can Little Voice overcome her stage fright and face the bright lights of the local working men's club, let alone the West End?

This heart-warming production is packed with brilliant comic characters and knock-out songs and is a real and true treat.

Written by Jim Cartwright, the show is directed here by Jemma Brown, who says: "The production is going to be wonderful. At least that's what goes round and round my head, along with a huge flurry of excitement I feel every time I think about it. Rehearsals are going fantastically and we really all can't wait for opening night.

"Having seen the original production of LV in London in 1993, I have loved this play with a passion ever since. I played Mari for my A-level Theatre Studies, I've coached drama students in both roles of LV and Mari and I've dreamed of directing it for years.

"And now it's happening, with a cast who blow me away at every rehearsal - they are astonishingly good. Working with a script that is funny, tragic, hilarious, devastating and has intricacies weaving through it from start to finish, the cast will enthral you, overwhelm you and make you hoot with laughter.

"The whole of Devizes deserve to witness this utter theatrical delight."

Tickets for the 7.30pm show are £10 from Devizes Books, Sidmouth Street, Devizes or call 01380 725944.