Having loved the original production back in 2013, I jumped at the chance to see The Bodyguard as it returned to London’s glittering West End. Even if you have seen the film, this is one story that never fails to tug at your heart-strings. Not like your usual musical, this story holds as much weight as the musical element, and that is why it is such a hit with avid theatre-goers and juke box musical fans alike.The buzz from the audience is electric as we wait for the show to begin and as soon as the gunshot rings through the audience we are hooked. With a wonderful story and songs from one of the greatest singers of all time, Whitney Houston, The Bodyguard is the ultimate theatre event. With songs such as: I will always love you, Greatest Love of all and I wanna dance with somebody The Bodyguard is a sure fire hit from the start.
The Bodyguard follows the story of Rachel Marron (Beverley Knight), Americas greatest star. Rachel has a team around her orchestrating every aspect of her life, yet an obsessive stalker manages to leave chilling notes in her dressing room and take one of her stage costumes. Not secure in their security detail, Frank Farmer (Ben Richards) is hired to head the team and make the necessary changes to ensure her safety. We follow the story as Rachel prepares for the Academy Awards. Through this tremulous time, when no member of her family is safe, we see just how volatile this situation can be, and Farmer makes it clear that he will do anything to ensure Rachel’s safety.
The choreography was slick and it is not hard to see why Karen Bruce has been a such a fixture in the West End for many years. The ensemble bring a remarkable energy as they perform number after with the perfect precision you would hope for from such seasoned professionals.
Beverley Knight who plays our leading lady Rachel Marron, is phenomenal. It is not hard to see why she is a platinum selling, multi-award winning artist and MBE. From the second she walks out onto the stage it is clear we are in the presence of a star. He voice is effortless and she tackles some of the hardest songs ever written for a female singer with ease and grace. She colours the notes beautifully and the passion she sings them with draws the audience in and keeps us hanging off of her every word. A special mention must also go to Rachel John who I have previously seen in the lead role in Memphis and I was blown over by her performance then, so I could not wait to see her in the role of Nikki Marron and she did not disappoint. Not only is she is amazing in her own right, but the two women worked as an impeccable team, and when they sang together their voices blended beautifully to create a magnificent sound.
With updated direction as well as its many new technical elements, the creative team have succeeded in adding another dimension to this already fabulous show. Even if you have been before this spectacle of a show is definitely worth another visit.
Following his successful take on Ibsen’s THE WILD DUCK, the ground-breaking director Simon Stone returns to London this summer. Reinventing Lorca’s classic YERMA at THE YOUNG VIC the Australian theatre maker puts a huge emphasis on modernising the piece and by doing so he creates a breath-taking production which will leave many emotionally shattered.