The opening shot shocks the audience. The closing kiss demands applause. Act One is a circus act that juggles emotions of warmth, tension and laughter. Act Two ramps the show up to higher level of excellence.
The new UK tour of The Bodyguard features Sidonie Smith (Sister Act, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar) as Rachel Marron and Adam Garcia (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Wicked) as Frank Farmer, the bodyguard.
Smith's opening number sets her up as the golden, glamorous star that is Rachel Marron. Of course, with songs by Whitney Houston including So Emotional, One Moment in Time, and Million Dollar Bill, Smith needs a strong opening to demonstrate her X factor.
The staging—with pyrotechnics, a high-quality dance troupe, and dazzling light show—transports you to her music concert.
The threat of the dangerous stalker is brought to life through the video projections. The mystery of the actor, only seen in brief glimpses, adds tension to the scenes that follow. The projection is used effectively and sparingly throughout the show, offering smoother scene transitions and clean pacing.
Nicki Marron is played by Sasha Monique and sings Saving All My Love and has a beautiful head voice with a great upper range. Her sustained chest voice is equally wonderful in its power and tone. After this show, I think we'll be seeing much more of this talented singer and performer.
The sisters' (Nicki and Rachel) interwoven lives create a great storyline that runs throughout the show. When they sing Run To You, their duet includes vocal runs so smooth that you'll have shivers down your spine. The harmonies are exquisite.
The karaoke bar moves from being an awkward scene change to something genuinely funny and beautiful—and Garcia gets his chance to sing! The audience love it too. The core cast are perfect in their roles.
The parts of the book that allow for the characters to humanise themselves as lovers, parents, and family give the show so much heart. This is essential for the ongoing threat: you need to have concern and care for the characters on stage, and this show delivers the emotional depth alongside the musical numbers.
Jukebox musicals based on the nineties films are going to have an element of cheese factor, and yet The Bodyguard manages to navigate this perfectly. It's only the American accents that are a bit off at times.
The most disappointing part of a show like this is the audience. Unfortunately, all moments of tension are spoiled by awkward audience members who laugh when they get nervous. Of course, many onlookers also seem to forget they aren't at a Whitney Houston concert and are desperate to sing-along. I encourage those theatregoers to instead see a tribute act.
If you're willing to sit quietly and enjoy world-class songs sung by world-class talent, then The Bodyguard will deliver for you.
It runs until 21 Feb. Tickets: here.
Review: James Dix Photo: Paul Coltas