When modern art collector Whitelaw Savory unearths a long-lost statue of Venus of Anatolia, he is thrilled to display her in his New York museum. But when a naive young barber Rodney unwittingly brings the statue to life with a kiss, Venus fixes her affections on him and pursues him all over New York.

Rodney’s shrewish fiancee doesn’t like this one bit, and Savory will do anything including framing Rodney for murder to recover his beloved statue.

Rodney keeps trying to set things right, and poor Venus can’t understand why he doesn’t respond to her seductions.

After a series of comic setups and mix- ups involving a couple of thugs, a nagging mother, a wise-cracking secretary, some ancient Anatolians and a good dose of magic, earthly order is restored and new love found.

An inanimate object that comes to life, mishaps and mayhem – you’d be forgiven for thinking One Touch of Venus is the plot of 1980s film Mannequin, but actually it’s a romantic, musical comedy.

Based on the novella, The Tinted Venus by F J Anstey, book One Touch of Venus by S J Perelman, and famed American poet Ogden Nash, the musical features a dazzling score by Kurt Weill and lyrics also by Ogden Nash.

Very loosely spoofing the Pygmalion myth, the show satirises contemporary suburban values, artistic fads and sexual mores.

London-based theatre company All Star Productions will bring the musical to life at Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Pub in Walthamstow.

One Touch of Venus is at Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Pub, Hoe Street, Walthamstow, from Tuesday, February 5 to Saturday, February 23. Details: 0208 509 3880