THE house lights went down, theatre in darkness - gunfire rang out loud followed by glam, glitz and pyrotechnics the show opened with what felt more like a concert than a stage musical - Alexandra Burke dazzled as Rachel Marron.

The Oscar nominated film was the second highest grossing film of 1992 starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner has successfully been transferred from screen to stage.

The story is about a guy who is hired to protect a singing superstar from a stalker who is proficient at his job by not getting involved with his clients. Circumstances change when the woman he is prepared to die for fall in love, as a consequence they can no longer have a future together and go their separate ways.

Burke, the X Factor winner from 2008 has a formidable voice, resourcefully making the role her own and not becoming a Whitney tribute. Her rendition of One Moment In Time and I Want To Dance With Somebody wowed the audience, there are plenty of other songs from the film and Whitney's back catalogue including All The Man That I Need, I'm Every Woman and I Will Always Love You one of the biggest hits of all time.

Rachel's hard done by younger sister Nicki (Melissa James) delivers a heart rendering performance, what a beautiful voice, who at times stole the show. A poignant moment during the first half was the outstanding duet with her older sibling.

Not a word was spoken by the ever sinister stalker (Mike Denman) as the suspense and tension increased.

Former secret service agent Frank Farmer played by Stuart Reid does and excellent job many remembering the iconic scene where he rescues Marron at a club.

The entire audience were on the feet at the end bopping away to I Want To Dance With Somebody...

Runs until Saturday, 30th January.