Protestors mar Holmes's Broadway debut

Katie Holmes's Broadway debut in Arthur Miller's All My Sons was tainted last night when anti-Scientology protestors gathered outside the theatre.

The masked group carried signs with messages including "Scientology is a cult" and "How many more must die?", The New York Daily News reports.

One demonstrator said: "We aren't protesting Katie. But Scientology is a cult and once you become a member you can't leave, and we've heard that Katie isn't able to leave because of Tom Cruise."

Outside the mob called for Holmes's freedom, while the audience within the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre gave her husband Cruise a standing ovation for kissing one fan on the cheek.

Holmes was said to have held her own among Broadway veterans John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest and Patrick Wilson.

"She was extraordinary," Cruise said, after the cast was given two standing ovations.