Written and directed by Stephen Duckham, in partnership with Laurie Hornsby, Valentino will be at the Talisman in Barrow Road, Kenilworth, on October 11 for a week.

Told through 16 songs, the play documents Valentino's departure from his native Italy to New York and then his progression to Hollywood to star in motion pictures.

Mr Duckham said: "It's a musical in a traditional sense and the costumes are looking really good.

"The set is made to move quickly as I have tried to do it so scene changes are like a movie wipe.

"The period of his life we are covering is 1914 to 1925 and we are also re-creating short scenes from some of his movies.

"The era is intriguing and I don't think anyone around today will have remembered it properly. It lent itself well to a musical.

"It also looks at all the people he became involved with, the actors and the movie moguls."

Valentino's appearances caused such a frantic show of passion from his audiences that he was dubbed 'heartthrob' and became the first superstar.

And his offstage persona matched the image he portrayed on screen.

Mr Duckham said: "He was romantically linked with numerous names in the movie business and in his short life made over 35 films – always playing the romantic hero with smouldering eyes and a seductive manner.

"In one of the songs, the lyrics look at the hunger for fame, which is still true today. The words heartthrob and superstar were actually attributed to him and he was the first film star to be mobbed in the street."

Mr Duckham has over 130 productions to his credit, establishing himself as a director of musicals both in the UK and across the Atlantic.

Valentino will be played by Chris Smith, from Solihull.

For tickets call 856548.