When Dreamgirls hit cinemas in 2006, starring powerhouses such as Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé and Eddie Murphy, it became an instant hit.

The awards flooded in, box office numbers soared and the songs raced up the charts.

It’s hardly surprising, then, that this exciting new tour is pulling in fans of the blockbuster from all over the country - despite a last-minute cancellation earlier this week.

While not every seat is full at Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre - likely due to the longer-than-average 12-night run - the audience is full of fans who whoop and cheer right from the start.

For anyone unfamiliar with the film, or the stage show that preceded it, it follows Effie, Lorrell and Deena, three talented singers trying to make their dreams come true in the 1960s, a revolutionary time for American music.

The three friends test their relationships with each other and themselves as they face the ruthless realities of show business.

Starring as the incomparable Effie White tonight is Sharlene Hector. The Voice star Nicole Raquel Dennis is billed as the leading lady, but this evening her alternate is given a chance to shine.

And shine she does. Sharlene is fantastic, particularly as she brings the interval curtain (and the house) down with the phenomenal And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.

It’s such a showstopper of a song, there’s really no other option than for it to be outstanding. And it is, so much so that it receives its very own standing ovation halfway through the night.

But, as the show teaches us, it’s not all about one solo star. The other two ladies who make up the Dreams - Natalie Kassanga as Deena Jones and Paige Peddie as Lorelle Robinson - also get their moments.

Lorelle brings us plenty of fun sass and comic relief, while Deena blows us away with her performance of Listen alongside Effie, and the triumphant dumping of her manipulative - but excellently played - manager and husband, Curtis Taylor Jr.

It’s not only the women who make their mark on stage tonight.

A special shoutout goes to Brandon Lee Sears, who is astonishing as the James Brown-esque performer Jimmy Early. His voice, dance moves, comic timing and underwear (which we catch a glimpse of) are all beyond brilliant.

Dreamgirls is known for having drawn inspiration from the Motown era and, in particular, The Supremes.

You can spot that influence right away, as Natalie Kassanga once played Diana Ross in Motown the Musical and brings her warm energy and star power to this show too - however, it’s not so on the nose that you spend the entire time comparing the characters to real-life stars.

Instead, the dazzling costumes, stylish ‘60s aesthetic and, quite frankly, unparalleled vocals bring Dreamgirls into a class of its own.

There are still tickets available for the show, which runs at the Marlowe Theatre until Saturday, July 23, so make sure you don’t miss out on this spectacular evening of entertainment - even if it’s for one night only!

Book tickets online here or call 01227 787 787.