Four stars
A little more than six years after her chart-topping success on The X Factor, and Alexandra Burke is still playing The Diva. This time in the role of Rachel Marron made famous by the - some would say - inimitable Whitney Houston. The show skirts into jukebox musical territory weaving the singer's mega hits into the film's narrative as well as using the original (award-winning) songs.
In the first half, upbeat Houston tracks such as How Will I Know, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and So Emotional bring a lightness to what is basically a story about a creepy and murderous stalker intermingled with the simple premise that women just want to be saved. As overlooked sister Nicki, Melissa James proved her crisp and clear vocals were up to the job, especially in a deeply foreboding Run To You.
Burke, meanwhile, exuded star quality every time she sang, although the pitch of the original Houston flourishes may have been tweaked slightly to benefit her vocal range. One Moment In Time, Greatest Love Of All and Saving All My Love were all big-hitters although the standing ovation for I Will Always Love You confirmed why most audience members had bought their tickets (that song wasn't number one for a large chunk of 1992 by chance, after all).
As bodyguard Frank Farmer, Stuart Reid gave a convincingly solid performance although the romantic chemistry never quite convinced. Overall, the dialogue is - at times - as cheesy as a Dairy Farm, but the super slick staging and cracking costumes (as well as the kick-ass dance ensemble) make this Scottish Premiere of the UK tour a hot ticket.
Pop Idol's Zoe Birkett will be playing Rachel Marron when Ms Burke needs a reprieve.
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