Lisa Burns gives her verdict after seeing the musical version of The Bodyguard at The Palace Theatre in Manchester.

One of the biggest films of the 1990s was undoubtedly The Bodyguard starring pop sensation Whitney Houston.

I must admit, I wasn’t a fan of the film. The relationship between Houston and Kevin Costner, who played her bodyguard, lacked spark and I didn’t think there was any chemistry between the two.

So it was with some trepidation that I went along to Manchester’s Palace Theatre to watch the latest stage version of the musical on stage, starring Melody Thornton - of Pussycat Dolls fame - and Ayden Callaghan in the title role.

The story centres around pop singer Rachel Marron who is being stalked by a crazed fan.

Her security staff decide to employ one of the best bodyguards around and approach Frank Farmer, who is used to looking after politicians and the like, to watch out for Rachel and her son Fletcher.

After a settling in period, the icy atmosphere between Rachel and Frank thaws and they fall for each other.

Frank also has a blossoming relationship with ten-year-old Fletcher, played on the night by Kaylenn Aires Fonseca.

Throughout all this, the show is littered with Whitney Houston classics and even opens with Melody belting out Queen of the Night amidst a bevy of dancers and flames shooting up from the stage (be warned if you are sat near the front - it will get very warm!). It started like a true pop concert. 

We were warned as we entered the theatre that there wasn’t to be any singing along. There were even signs on the bars around the theatre, and staff holding up posters telling people to refrain from singing - something I have never come across before.

We are told though, that we could join in during the encore, which people did as they rose to their feet to join in with the uplifting I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

Throughout the show, we therefore had to resort to dancing quietly in our seats and tapping our feet and fingers along to such classics - delivered with true feeling from Melody - as All At Once, Greatest Love of All, How Will I Know, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and, of course, the classic love song I Will Always Love You. 

I had forgotten just how many beautiful songs Houston had produced and there were all sung impeccably by Melody.

Unfortunately, for the second week in a row, the show had to be paused (as in My Fair Lady last week) by a technical hitch - but hey, this is live theatre.

The musical flitted from one intense scene to another, but we were offered some light relief by the comedic role of Rachel’s music producer James Groom as Sy Spector as he became flustered over Rachel’s situation.

The ensemble also lifted the mood and were fantastic as they energetically danced their way through the numbers.

Emily-Mae as Rachel’s sister also put in an excellent performance and proved what a soulful voice she has as she duetted with Melody.

The Bodyguard is a great little musical and one which is highly enjoyable - if just for the Whitney Houston songs alone.

My husband, who was a bit dubious about watching it, loved it and thought it was one of the best shows he had seen.

The Bodyguard is on stage at The Palace until April 15.