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AITH Brown wowed and dazzled audiences at Manchester's Palace Theatre with her powerful portrayal of Hollywood's fading screen idol Norma Desmond -- once "the greatest star of all".

The talented comedienne turned actress and singer, best known for her impressions, stole the show with her spell-binding performance, belting out famous hits including With One Look, The Perfect Year and As If We Never Said Goodbye.

Based on the Oscar-winning Billy Wilder film, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard tells the story of Norma Desmond -- a once great silent film star, now half-forgotten in the glamorous 1950s Hollywood -- who is determined she will never be forgotten and is prepared to stop at nothing to regain her place at the top.

Numerous impressive sets, a cast of 28 and one of Lloyd Webber's most haunting and memorable scores take the audience through the dramatic story of unstable Norma's dangerous infatuation with young handsome script writer, Joe Gillis (Jeremy Finch).

The plot follows an intrigued Joe as he tries to help insecure Norma return to the silver screen, only to become increasingly trapped at the millionaire's Sunset Boulevard mansion with only her spooky servant Max Von Mayerling (Michael Bauer) for company. He soon finds escapism, and eventually love, with his best friend's fiance Betty Schaffer (Ceri Ann Gregory).

The emotionally driven, dramatic show ends with an unexpected twist in the tale, that will leave the audience guessing.

Sunset Boulevard runs until Saturday, September 28 and tickets are available from the box office on 0161 242 2524.