Three years ago I sat in the laps of the gods in a London theatre not entirely sure whether I’d come to see a musical or the recording of ITV’s X Factor or dating show Take Me Out.

The whooping, squeals, wolf whistles and cheering from myriad of hen parties, girls nights outs and women who may have had one too many proseccos in the bar beforehand meant that The Bodyguard and I were unlikely to enjoy the Greatest Love Of All that Saturday night in London town.

Killjoy, I know. But for the ticket price it was less I will Always Love You and more Where Do Broken Hearts Go having spent more than £50 watching inebriated audience members race to screech out the lines before actors on stage while simultaneously attempting their very worst drunken Whitney karaoke.

Fast forward three years or so and bodyguard Frank Farmer, superstar Rachel Marron and I are headed for a reunion at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre. And I’m really glad we were.

Not only because a Thursday evening in Canterbury is obviously less of a meat-market than a Saturday night in London but because it’s become such a great place to see these big West End productions.

The incredibly clever set design which turns the Marlowe into a millionaire’s mansion, seedy nightclub, Oscar ceremony stage and secluded wood cabin not only brings you closer to the story because you are exactly that – closer, close enough in fact to feel the heat from the fire when the special effects really get going – but you quickly appreciate the hard work and sheer talent that goes into bringing these adaptations to a stage.

Carole Stennett is brilliant as Rachel Marron, and while some of her lines as the diva superstar threatened by a crazed stalker, do carry some of the slightly cringey awkwardness of those in the 1992 smash hit film, it’s all forgotten when you hear her sing.

Although audience members were equally silenced, if not on occasions more so, by the sensational soulful vocals of Rachel John who played jealous sister Nicki.

And, in case you were wondering, there is a good amount of time for everyone to enjoy a bit of a Whitney Houston sing-a-long and dance in the aisles during the final numbers with the Marlowe’s audience proving that there really is a time and a place.

So if you have the time, try and book a ticket, because this time I know the place.

The Bodyguard is on at the Marlowe until Saturday, February 27.

For information, log on to marlowetheatre.com or call the box office on 01227 787787.