I saw Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells and there was a standing ovation halfway through the show

As soon as those haunting notes from The Exorcist sounded on the piano, everyone in the Alexandra Theatre began to cheer. But Robin A. Smith and his incredible band of musicians had already won over the audience long before we got to Tubular Bells.

Part of a 29-date tour to celebrate 50 years of the musical extravaganza, the show began with some of Mike Oldfield's other works, such as the brilliant Family Man and Moonlight Shadow, the latter sung beautifully by bassist Lisa Featherston, who had an air of Kate Bush to her performance. I counted eight musicians on stage, plus Harry the very hardworking technician, and they played more than 20 instruments between them.

There were electric guitars, an acoustic guitar, a Spanish guitar, a mandolin, a bass and an electric cello. Robin Smith played a grand piano and a double keyboard (all at the same time!) and the percussionists played more instruments than I could guess the names of. They, in particular, were thrilling to watch as they seemed to dance the drum beat at the back of the stage, switching between the roll of the timpani and the crash of the symbols to the magical ripple of the chimes and the glockenspiel.

And, centre stage, was, of course, the famous tubular bells. Each time either percussionist stood to play this magnificent instrument the stage was filled with purple lights and smoke, creating an almost cinematic backdrop.

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I loved how the spotlight fell on each musician as they took the lead throughout the show. It really helped you to zone in on what they were playing in that moment.

Jay Stapley wowed us by making his mindbogglingly-good guitar riffs, licks and solos look totally effortless, Maxime Obideau switched guitars and mandolin with ease several times during each song and Kwesi Edman played evocative cello, calling for the crowd to clap along at key moments. Daisy Bevan proved how Mike Oldfield used vocals as an additional instrument on stage - the power and depth of her voice was electrifying.

And I just wanted to be Will Miles and Jack Davis on those incredible drums. The whole show, from start to end, was exhilarating and I didn't want it to end. And, neither did anyone else. When we reached the end of Tubular Bells, everyone jumped to their feet in a standing ovation.

But this wasn't the end. After taking a bow, the musicians all grabbed their instruments and proceeded to play more from the Tubular Bells back catalogue. What a treat. They received a second standing ovation, took another bow, then began to play the Blue Peter theme, keeping everyone up on their feet, clapping and dancing.

The whole show was huge fun, every musician was entertaining in their own way, all were massively talented and we left with enormous smiles on our faces, safe in the knowledge we'd watched something very special indeed. The music was as contemporary and captivating as it was 50 years ago, taking us on a journey through progressive rock and electronica, classical, blues, folk and jazz. I took my kids (both guitarists and songwriters) and they loved it too.

Sadly, the show was in Birmingham for one-night only but you can catch it again when it returns to the Midlands on November 10 when it will be performed at Warwick Arts Centre. Book tickets via the Mike Oldfield website here.

Tubular Bells tour dates

Dartford Orchard Theatre October 28

Southend Cliffs Pavilion October 29

Hastings White Rock Theatre October 30

Croydon Fairfield Halls 3November 3

Ipswich Regent Theatre November 4

Basingstoke The Anvil November 6

High Wycombe Swan November 7

Poole Lighthouse November 8

Warwick Arts Centre November 10

Guildford G Live November 11

Portsmouth Guildhall November 12