As our handbags are rifled through at the security checks outside Manchester's Palace Theatre for the opening night of hit musical The Bodyguard, we are given an extraordinary warning from The Palace's very own bodyguard. Looking sternly down at the two of us giddy 40-somethings the security officer says: "Ladies, I have to tell you, that tonight you're not allowed to sing".
We're not allowed to SING? Now, I know I'm no Whitney but this is a new one on me when I'm walking into a show.
As if the warning at the door were not enough, as we headed to the stalls I see ushers having to hold aloft signs with bold print stating to everyone flooding in: "PLEASE REFRAIN FROM SINGING ALONG. Thank you."
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To ensure we really are in NO doubt of this singing ban, there are even more theatre staff walking up and down at the front of the stalls waving the "no singing" boards as we wait for curtain up on the show.
The stern warning from The Bodyguard producers here in Manchester has come after previous audiences on the tour have been a little too enthusiastic with their singing/caterwauling. Some "anti-social behaviour" from audiences in other cities has been enough to even put the stars off their own performances by all accounts. And we can't be having that can we?
So if you're thinking this musical of the hit Whitney Houston blockbuster movie that also features a host of the star's best known songs is a sing-a-long, then think again. Yes, you may know every word of every world famous song, but heaven forbid you utter them.
The issue was the talk of the auditorium before the show - with many debating whether it is, or isn't, acceptable to sing at a musical. "I didn't pay to hear you singing I Will Always Love You that's for sure," was the comment from one brave man to his partner in the seats behind.
But you can perhaps understand the confusion/over-enthusiasm of the audience, as from the very opening scene of this show we are transported to a rock concert where in normal circusmstances we'd all be singing our little hearts out.
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We are introduced to pop diva Rachel Marron, up on stage in golden bodice, doing what she does best. She struts her stuff to sing out Queen of the Night and gees up her crowd (while most definitely not asking them to sing along, natch).
The leading lady here is Pussycat Doll pop star Melody Thornton, who knows a thing or two about entertaining packed arenas of adoring fans. She is a natural diva in this role, bringing the sass and the steel that has taken Ms Marron to the very top of the showbiz world.
But as fans of the 90s flick will know, Rachel is also in mortal danger - from an obsessed fan who has been delivering poison pen letters backstage. It has her existing security crew in such a flap that they need to bring in the very best, and that's Frank Farmer.
Cue the arrival of Frank, played by Ayden Callaghan on this tour, with his perfect Daniel Craig-a-like steel. He soon sets pulses racing for many different reasons in the Marron mansion, as Rachel refuses to accept she needs a bodyguard, while sharing some steamy stand-offs that lead inevitably to their romantic union.
There's playful moments when they head for a karaoke night and Frank tries his hand at singing, before Rachel stuns the bar with her own star turn. There's also leap-out-of-your seat scary moments too which are actually quite brilliant on stage.
But on opening night here in Manchester there were way too many technical glitches, including a five minute stoppage when a set malfunctioned. There were also moments where songs didn't start properly with microphones cutting out, which hampered the flow for this to be the sort of polished performance I'd expect, having seen the first, flawless touring production here back in 2019.
But there's no doubting it's an enjoyable show featuring as it does the genius soundtrack of the late, great Whitney with her classic hits like One Moment in Time and All At Once alongside those famous from the film like Run To You and I Have Nothing.
The powerhouse performances (special shout out to Emily-Mae as Rachel's sidelined sister Nicki here) are enough to get the people of Manchester leaping on their feet for a standing ovation alone. And when Melody returns to the stage to belt out a Whitney medley alongside her co-stars including her adorable stage son Fletcher (a star in the making in Kaylenn Aires Fonseca), the audience finally get their chance for a sing-a-long.
And do you know what? It's the feelgood moment we all needed.
Everyone pours out onto the streets of Manchester with a smile on their face. And a coachload of ladies (literally a coachload, they were waiting for their coach) decide to take matters vocally into their own hands.
They start belting out a capella versions of all the anthems we've just heard played inside. The ballad of Whitney rings out on Whitworth Street.
You may stop us singing in the theatre, The Bodyguard producers. But you shall never stop us caterwauling on the streets.
The Bodyguard is at The Palace Theatre until Saturday, April 15
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