****

Alexandra Burke delivers Whitney Houston's big hits superbly to ensure the stage version of The Bodyguard compares favourably with the 1992 blockbuster.

It starts by shocking a packed Congress audience with an unexpected gunshot, captivates us with uplifting musical routines and thrills us with a stunning finale.

But, like the film, there are some awkward moments where the storyline stretches credibility and the script prevents dour bodyguard Frank Farmer showing much charm or humour.

Stuart Reid plays Frank in an understated manner, and there should be more spark between him and Burke, as petulant singing star Rachel Marron, who falls for him. Ironically, this was also the case with Kevin Costner and Houston.

High-tech video inserts help create suspense as psychotic Stalker (Matthew Stathers) provides a constant threat to Rachel and her son Fletcher, delightfully played by Keaton Edmund. Yet Stathers doesn't have any dialogue until the second act.

In contrast, talented Rachel John takes full advantage of her singing role as Marron's jealous sister Nicki. She and Burke deliver an electrifying Run To You duet.

Several of the 16 hit songs are spell-binding, and Burke, the 2008 X Factor winner, excels with enthralling power ballad I Will Always Love You.