With a catalogue of hits from the incredible Whitney Houston songbook, and a story we all know and love, going to see THE BODYGUARD is high on the list of many around South Wales. Judging by the excited opening night audience at the Wales Millennium Centre, this is much anticipated.
This review is really easy. I love the movie, you love the movie, we all love the movie. I can tell you now however, The Bodyguard on stage is even better.
The show does come with a couple of warnings. First of all, the obligatory no phones, videos or photographs, something we’re used to now in our theatres. Following the much reported events in Manchester recently, we are also told – do not sing during the performance.. It’s a hard thing to stick to because those songs are just so damn amazing, but we say – thank heavens for the ban as the musical talent on stage are terrific at that job.
The show opens with a pretty dramatic gunshot, in complete darkness, and there in front of us on stage, is former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer (AYDEN CALLAGHAN). There’s a certain look that goes with Frank, all thanks to the 1992 classic, and third highest grossing film of that year I might add.
Ayden brilliantly channels his best Kevin Costner in that moment, for the rest of the show however, he’s very much his own man, and a pretty damn fine Frank he makes too.
Of course, the movie also starred Ms Houston and filling her musical shoes is difficult for anyone. In comes former Pussycat Dolls member MELODY THORNTON, who is a multi-platinum Grammy-nominated artist herself, selling over 70 million albums as a member of one of the most celebrated girl groups of all time. Melody is a powerhouse and doesn’t stop on stage, there’s barely a moment when she isn’t belting out one of those classic tunes.
It’s clear we all love the movie, just take a look at the audience reaction below, but we’d urge you to go and see this show for something more. There’s a great story, an everlasting soundtrack, and cast who definitely put their spin on our main characters.
This production does feel really cinematic. The sets are Hollywood great, the band are next level, under the direction of SAM HALL and the singing and choreography is about as good as you’ll see this year. The bar is set very high for this show and it definitely doesn’t disappoint.
Once Frank has done his opening Bodyguard thing (if you’ve seen the movie you’ll know what I mean), we’re straight into the first song from Rachel Marron, shooting a video for ‘Queen of the Night. We get it all as well – incredible singing and dancing, flames, skimpy costumes and our first look at the impressive set.
So, we’re ten minutes in, and already I can tell you that the entire are blown away. This touring production is beyond West End good.
Resisting the temptation to sing-a-long to these amazing Whitney hits, we settled back for the rest of the show.
There may be some of you who have never seen, or indeed know nothing about the story and although this is very much a musical, it also has a really gripping and passionate storyline.
Frank is brought in to protect Rachel, a huge singing star, with a bit of an ego to match. She has a little boy Fletcher (KAYLEEN AIRES FONSECA, FRANKIE KEITA, RENEO KUSI-APPAUH and LESA MILLER) and her big sister Nicki (EMILY-MAE) is also her PA. Rachel has been getting letters from an obsessive stalker, and while she thinks this goes with the superstar territory, and doesn’t want Frank getting in the way, everyone around her feels this is a different threat level and recruit Frank as The Bodyguard.
We are of course going to compare the show with the film, but where this differs, for the better I think, is that the characters are developed a little more, and we also get some Whitney songs which weren’t in the movie, which is always a good thing.
In the film we were left to presume that Rachel’s sister is as good a singer, on stage we actually get to hear it. Nicki performs in a bar and it’s here we get proof that she’s as good as her sister. The addition of ‘Saving All My Love‘ is a really lovely moment, with Frank watching on in the background. You get to appreciate how the big sister feels pangs of jealousy, especially with an equally powerful voice.
Emily has a fantastic voice, and for a moment I was wondering if this story was real-life, what gives one person that star-quality edge over someone who can also sing. Which also happens to be in part the premise of the story.
There’s clearly musical jealousy going on, but also a bit of Frank jealousy too. Adding this extra bar scene to the story really draws you into the plot and what is making Nicki so aggrieved.
Although the show has a few additions to the story and track listing, all those scenes we know and love from the movie are still there and feel really familiar.
The ‘Jesus Loves Me‘ moment around the fireplace is there, as is the time when Rachel first hears ‘I Will Always Love You‘ sung country & western style, this time by Frank. It’s a scene where the song is almost dismissed as typical cowboy heartbreak stuff, till it eventually becomes Rachel’s trademark big moment.
It would be easy to say that The Bodyguard is part gig and part theatre, but for me, it’s the complete package. It has a story which keeps you on the edge of your seat till the very last moment. With a twist on the movie tale, this is as gripping now as it always was.
Incidentally, the bad guy – simply known as The Stalker (MARIOS NICOLAIDES), is really creepy and the use of big screen projection really increases the tension out in the auditorium.
The big song and dance set pieces really make their mark. From the fiery opener Queen of the Night, where you can literally feel the heat from the stage. To the much anticipated I will Always Love You finale. I also really loved the more intimate moments when Rachel and her sister, and at times young Fletcher are singing around the house.
The Bodyguard is big, bold and bloody brilliant, there’s no other way to put it. The Whitney songbook has never sounded so good wrapped around a thrilling story which will keep you gripped from start to finish. ‘I Have Nothing‘ but praise for the show, which is not only ‘So Emotional‘ but will make you ‘Wanna Dance With Somebody‘ as you leave the theatre.
Take a look at our original show feature which has something interestingly surprising facts about the movie and show – HERE.
THE BODYGUARD is at the Wales Millennium Centre through to Saturday 29th April. Performances are at 7:30pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets start at £19:50 and you can get yours HERE.
Incidentally, the show is around 2 hours and 25 minutes (including the interval).
