The Bodyguard The Musical was first staged at London’s Adelphi Theatre in 2012 and is based on the 1992 film of the same name, which starred and featured songs by Whitney Houston. In addition to the movie soundtrack, the musical adds nine songs from Houston’s catalogue, with the stage show gaining many more positive reviews than the film.
The simplistic, melodramatic plot concerns Rachel Marron (Mireia Mambo), a ‘famous’ singer, who is being stalked by an unknown male (James-Lee Harris – who received appropriate ‘booing’ at curtain call!), so Rachel’s manager arranges for Frank Farmer (Adam Garcia) to take over as her new bodyguard. Rachel rebels at this, but of course eventually falls in love and in bed with him! The ending is surprisingly downbeat for a musical, yet works!
Thea Sharrock’s original direction has rightly won many plaudits, especially as redirected for the present tour by Tracy Lane. They both ensure that the usually brief scenes which have been transferred from the movie flow into each other seamlessly and that the often rather trite dialogue is handled well by all concerned, often emphasising the melodramatic nature of the material.
Adam Garcia is excellent as The Bodyguard, exuding not only charm but a sense of calm which is completely appropriate to his role. He is totally believable and has true stage presence, even though he is given little or no music to sing.
Sidonie Smith has been widely advertised in the Eastbourne area as playing Rachel in this production, and it is not until the audience have bought their tickets and opened their programme that they are able to read in small print that “Mireia Mambo plays the role of Rachel Marron at certain performances”, which is rather naughty of the producers, seeing that Mireia Mambo is not mentioned at all in the advertising (as far as I can see!). Anyway, paying customers have no need to worry, as Mambo is more than up to the task! She acts convincingly, especially in her scenes with Frank, is a very able dancer, and sings in the style that the audience expects. She really comes into her own in the post-curtain-call encore number, which is the most upbeat and enjoyable number of the show. Here she really communicates with those watching, by this time standing up and cheering, as she has not been given the opportunity to do during much of the preceding two hours!
Rachel’s sister Nicki is in the very capable hands of Sasha Monique, especially when she is allowed to sing, and Fletcher, Rachel’s son, is delightfully portrayed by young Ebrahim Joof.
The staging of the show has been simplified for touring, compared with the West End production: Tim Hatley’s set designs are less complex, relying much more on the clever use of drapes for the shorter scenes, and the excellent pit band under Charlie Ingles being reduced from ten to six players, meaning that it appears very ‘keyboard’ heavy, but especially in the reduction of the ensemble to two male and four female dancers which makes the stage look rather bare in the ‘big numbers!
Overall, though, those who know the show will not be at all disappointed, and those on holiday in Eastbourne who do not know the show are in for a real treat! The sixteen Whitney Houston numbers have been inventively choreographed by Karen Bruce, and Mark Henderson’s lighting and, especially, Duncan McLean’s video effects are at times quite stunning. Lastly, Richard Brooker’s sound design ensures that, although the show is loud, singers are never swamped by the band, which so often happens!
My advice is to try to see a performance featuring Mireia Mambo, as she is rather good! Recommended for an enjoyable summer night at the theatre!
Review by John Groves
Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge – what they don’t expect is to fall in love.
Sidonie Smith – Rachel Marron
Mireia Mambo – Alternate Rachel Marron
Adam Garcia – Frank Farmer
Sasha Monique – Nicki Marron
Matt Milburn – Sy Spector
John Macaulay – Bill Devaney
Jonathan Alden – Tony Sibelli
James-Lee Harris – The Stalker
Ryan Bennett – Ray Court
Taylor Bridges, Ohaana Greaves, Alice Readie, Theo UK Rose, Luke Walsh, Zirihi Zadi – Ensemble
Kayne Gordon, Emma-Jane Smith, Yiota Theo, Luke Woollaston – Swings
Adam Bartlett, Phoenix Beharry, Mason Dyett, Ebrahim Joof – Fletcher
Warner Bros. – Original Film
Lawrence Kasdan – Screenplay
Alexander Dinelaris – Book
Thea Sharrock – Director
Tracy Lane – Associate Director
Chris Egan – Orchestrations and Additional Music
Richard Beadle – Musical Supervisor and Additional Vocal Arrangements
Campbell Young – Hair, Wigs and Make-Up Designer
Beth Eden and Debbie O’Brien – Casting Directors
Mark Henderson – Lighting Designer
Duncan McLean – Video Designer
Richard Brooker – Sound Designer
Karen Bruce – Choreographer
Tim Hatley – Set & Costume Designer
Charlie Ingles – Musical Director
Mark Hedges – Resident Director
THE BODYGUARD THE MUSICAL
Congress Theatre Eastbourne, 17 to 22 August 2026
UK tour continues to 29 August 2026, then international tour commences 20 September 2026
