Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

REVIEW - The Bodyguard is a show that will stay with you long after the curtain falls

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We went to the Palace Theatre in Manchester to see The Bodyguard. Read what our reviewer Karen Ryder had to say about this brilliant musical...

The Bodyguard is back in town, once again ready to serve and protect us with disarming twists of terror, fierce and fabulous concert vibes, and an unwavering, heart melting love story that has stood the test of time since its 1992 film topped the charts. This musical has it all and presents its gripping story through a heady mix of thrilling suspense and glorious feel-good musicality, leaving you pumped with indecisive adrenaline, never knowing whether your scream will be one of delight or fear. Every inch of this musical is designed with the audience in mind, ensuring that you are constantly switched on, flipping between the highs of a full-blown arena concert, the intensity of being stalked, and the impossible yet very real love blossoming before our eyes. In short, I love it!

This award-winning, smash hit musical has been wowing audiences worldwide with its phenomenal story, soundtrack, and special effects since 2012, and I have to say that it’s just as thrilling, spectacular, and rousing as it ever was! Rachel Marron draws us into her impossible world of mega stardom, a music artist on top of the world, wanting for nothing. Except her safety. Her fame has attracted a somewhat unhinged stalker, adamant that he must save her, even if that means death. As the stalker gets a little too close, Rachel’s security must be tightened, much to the annoyance of her existing team, and Rachel herself, who all take umbrage at an outsider being brought in, and each battle to be in control. But when that outsider is former Secret Service Agent Frank Farmer who is regimented in his methods, a battle of wills ensues that raises interesting perspectives on both their lived experiences. As Rachel and Frank begin to discover that they perhaps have more in common than they originally assumed, the vast chasm in their worlds become unified through an unenviable isolation and the frightening reality of falling in love.

With one of the most powerful and gripping starts to a show I have seen, The Bodyguard compels your senses to pay attention, surrender, and trust that you are in for a sensationally striking show. Expect the unexpected for you never know where or when the stalker may appear, or if indeed you may have a weapon pointed at your head. With sudden gun shots juxtaposed against some of Whitney Houston’s biggest pulsating pop hits and her luscious love songs, this show has perfected the art of keeping an audience alert, alive, and engaged. It excels in disorientation, so the highs are extreme rushes of exhilaration, and the jump scares and disturbing, fearful elements ensure a dizzying switch of intensity, making the love story seem ever more urgent yet devastatingly hopeless. The design of the show is immersive, combining video montage, epic sound and light displays, dry ice, pyrotechnics, digital storytelling, and intuitive costumes that are capable of evoking the style, emotion, and essence of each narrative. Mark Henderson (lighting), Duncan McLean (video), Richard Brooker, (sound), and Tim Hatley (set & costume) immerse you into this story in new and addictive ways.

Directed by Thea Sharrock, this incredible cast are brimming with showbiz opulence! Sidonie Smith (Sister Act, Chicago, JCS) embodies the role of Rachel Marron, giving us a multi-faceted performance. Overflowing with stage presence and pizazz as Rachel the superstar, she is also beautifully tender as a mother, then fierce and fiery in business and in advocacy for her own life, ensuring her voice is in the mix as regards to controlling her own decisions. With vocals that leave you in no doubt as to why Rachel Marron is a superstar, this performance transcends her role into the show, making me seek out vocal recordings of Sidonie Smith in her own right. Adam Garcia (42^ND Street, Wicked, Coyote Ugly) has given us a deliciously powerful Frank Farmer, with sprinkles of the imperfections of humanity, enticing us to want to get to the bottom of his own personal heartache and pain. There is always something more bubbling away beneath the surface, which is both alluring and hypnotising to witness. This is a wonderfully complex performance, pitting his own strength against his own vulnerability, allowing us to see the human cracks in the stoic and unbreakable bodyguard. This allows him to be beautiful with Fletcher, Rachel’s son, offer kindness to her sister Nicki, and a taste of authenticity with Rachel. And his final scene absolutely broke my heart, a moment of silence where he emoted his own aching love story without the need to utter a word. Stunning.

Sasha Monique (Hairspray, The Book Of Mormon Cinderella) enabled her character Nicki to be seen and heard whilst equally being constantly demoted to the shadows, the curtains, out of the spotlight so that Rachel could shine. Her own longing for love and companionship was expertly told, really highlighting that she has indeed sacrificed her own security, freedom, and ambitions so that Rachel can succeed. Perhaps this has been slightly less focused in other productions but tonight I really understood the prison in which Nicki has also been placed, and without ever receiving the accolades that balance it out. Hers is a silent demonstration of dedication, and that can often lead to bursts of resentment, making her choices make sense. She has a fabulous voice and mesmerised me.

Matt Milburn (Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Brassic) as Sy Spector is loud, brash, pushy, with the potential to arouse unintentional danger with his desire to promote Rachel. Matt Milburn plays it so well that his character isn’t an impossible pill to swallow and we witness his heart being in the right place, and his growing respect for both Frank and Rachel. He allows the character to be both challenging and changing. James Lee-Harris (Joseph & The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Cinderella The Musical, Peter Pan) as the Stalker dictates the fear level with his physical presence, unnerving stare, and agile movement, ensuring you are never quite prepared for his appearance, as he emerges from the shadows. It is a thrilling performance and he commands your being with an imposing and tense authority, making you hyper vigilant whenever he appears.

Choreographed by Karen Bruce, we are effortlessly submerged into many an arena style concert with incredible, energised ensemble dancing that is worthy of its own stand-alone show! Yet again, The Bodyguard has wowed me with its ingenious, inventive use of multi theatrical, digital, and immersive approaches, expertly blended into one overwhelming musical. Every element of the theatre is utilised, including the safety curtain in a gloriously simple yet effective way! With a repertoire of songs that blow your mind at their brilliance, such as ‘Run To You,’ ‘Queen Of The Night,’ ‘One Moment In Time,’ ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody,’ and of course the spine tingling ‘I Will Always Love You,’ this is a show that will stay with you long after the curtain falls. The Bodyguard is a unique and mesmerising experience. The believability of the story is key, and as we are placed right in its adrenaline fuelled heart, we truly are whisked along for the ride. And just when you think there couldn’t possibly anymore, out breaks the end of show concert that is the icing on this deliciously layered cake, leaving an entire audience bouncing and buzzing with electricity. The Bodyguard definitely hits its mark and appeals to fans of the film, theatre goers, musical theatre lovers, and those wanting to see new ways to explore theatre. So, The Bodyguard, Manchester will always love you!

WE SCORE THE BODYGUARD...