Saving All My Love for The Bodyguard
A hit-packed night at the Grand Opera House proves this iconic story still has the power to thrill and get everyone on their feet.
I absolutely love The Bodyguard. It’s the soundtrack to the 90s for me, and Whitney Houston’s music is just unbeatable, so I went in really hoping it would live up to it. And it did.
The musical stays very faithful to the original story, which I loved, but it’s been cleverly updated. Little touches like mobile phones and email bring it into the present day without losing what made the film so iconic.
One of the standout things for me was Rachel Marron, played by Sidonie Smith. It would have been very easy to try and recreate Whitney Houston, but that’s not what she does. This is Rachel Marron as her own artist. There’s a real Beyoncé energy to her performance, fresh and completely her own. The vocals are incredible and it never feels like an imitation.
I also loved that Nicki’s role felt bigger than it does in the film. Sasha Monique is outstanding in the role, and her vocals are just incredible. There are moments in the show where everything just stops and you realise how strong the singing is across the entire cast.
And then there’s Adam Garcia as Frank Farmer. Gorgeous and exactly what you want in that role. He brings a bit of humour too, especially in the moments where he’s trying to sing, which was just adorable!
The ensemble bring great energy throughout. The choreography feels modern and fresh, and there are some big production moments, flames, pyrotechnics, even the odd jump scare, which I wasn’t expecting at all but actually worked really well. It keeps you on edge in places, which adds something different to what you think is going to be a straightforward musical.
The stalker, played by James-Lee Harris, is genuinely unsettling. There’s a real danger that character could feel over the top, but here he’s properly menacing. You don’t fully see him at first, and when he appears, it really makes you jump. There’s also something about him that really reminded me of Eminem in Stan, that whole hood up, writing letters, slightly obsessive energy. It had that same eerie feel running through it. He got a proper boo at the curtain call, which says it all.
There’s also a brilliant performance from the young actor playing Fletcher, a really endearing role with some lovely moments.
But of course, it’s the music everyone comes for, and it absolutely delivers. The show is packed with Whitney Houston hits, and by the end, the entire audience is on their feet. I Wanna Dance with Somebody turns into a full-on singalong, and it’s just a brilliant way to finish.
I left feeling completely uplifted and immediately went home and put more Whitney on, which probably tells you everything you need to know.
It’s also worth saying, it doesn’t drag. It’s the perfect length, keeps moving, and never loses the audience.
Honestly, it’s a great night out. A proper girls’ night, a bit of nostalgia and a show that knows exactly what it’s doing. I’d thoroughly recommend it.
