What’s it all about?
It’s big, it’s back in the West End, and it’s starring Beverley.
Based on the 1992 film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, hugely popular romantic musical The Bodyguard storms back into London’s Theatreland following its acclaimed 2012 premiere and smash-hit UK tour – and it does so with spectacularly stylistic bravado.
Soul powerhouse Beverley Knight takes centre-stage – quite literally – as superstar singer Rachel Marron, whose glamorous lifestyle comes under escalating threat from an unwelcome and sinisterly twisted stalker. Swooping in to save the day is the ruthlessly efficient titular bodyguard, former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer, whose cold-blooded, no-nonsense approach to his job clashes with Marron’s diva-esque love of the limelight.
The resulting friction, naturally, leads to romance, featuring Whitney Houston hits such as “How Will I Know”, “So Emotional”, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”, “I Will Always Love You” and “One Moment In Time” along the way.
Who’s in it?
Television and musical star Ben Richards tackles the eponymous Bodyguard Farmer with aplomb, but the name on everybody’s lips entering the Dominion Theatre was that of Knight, and on the basis of her stunning performance as Marron, deservedly so. You can only watch on in sheer admiration as show-stopping performance after show-stopping performance emanate from her almost effortlessly, with Houston’s iconic hits the perfect foil for her astronomical vocal talents.
It’s not just Knight, however, who has the chance to shine vocally, with Rachel John’s portrayal of Nicki Marron, Rachel’s oft overshadowed sister, stunning the audience into silence in ballad “Saving All My Love”, while her superb duet with Knight in “Run To You” is guaranteed to have hearts soaring.
What should I look out for?
Lasers and lights, pyrotechnics and projections, spectacular set pieces and a gargantuan shifting panel set. The Bodyguard is a concert-cum-cinematic experience of the highest vivacity, with no expense spared in granting Knight the grand stage her level of talent deserves.
The karaoke bar scene; possibly proof that, with a bit of luck, we could all make it on the West End stage one day.
Who was in the gala night crowd?
While mingling in the glitzy gala night crowd, we spotted stars including Nadine Coyle, Naomi Harris, Matt Cardle, Kelly Holmes, Arlene Phillips, Nigel Havers, Tracie Bennett, Frankie Essex and Chloe Goodman.
In a nutshell?
Believe the hype; Beverley Knight will blow you away in this blockbuster production.
What’s being said on Twitter?
Had the most amazing night watching #TheBodyguard in theatre with the mumzy! X
— Chloe Goodman (@Chloe__Goodman) July 21, 2016
@Beverleyknight‘s voice in @TheBodyguardUK is off the scale! And what songs to sing! #thebodyguard #pressnight #whitney
— Rianne Ison (@rianne_ison) July 22, 2016
Will I like it?
The Bodyguard knows what it’s trying to do, and it doesn’t half do it. With more spectacular set pieces than an Olympics opening ceremony, the show glitters with stardust and heart throughout.
While you perhaps won’t take from it a life-changing philosophy, you’ll be too dazed by jaw-dropping choreography, astounding visuals and the rare talent that is Beverley Knight to notice. Infectious in its sheer zeal (it’s a rare occasion that I Wanna Dance With Somebody, but this is one such time), The Bodyguard could be the perfect start to a night out in the West End.
The Bodyguard plays at the Dominion Theatre until 7 January 2017. You can book tickets through us here.