Review: The Bodyguard proves faithful to the film, but its greatest surprises come from the stage

Review by Bracken Jelier

Few musicals arrive with expectations quite as high as The Bodyguard. Not only is it based on one of the most successful romantic thrillers of the 1990s, it also carries the legacy of Whitney Houston, whose unforgettable performance as Rachel Marron and extraordinary catalogue of songs continue to define the production more than three decades later.

Bringing that to the stage is no small task.

Currently playing at Theatre Royal Plymouth, this latest touring production remains largely faithful to the original film. The story follows global superstar Rachel Marron, whose life is threatened by an obsessive stalker, forcing her management to hire former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer, played with quiet confidence by Adam Garcia.

The central relationship develops much as audiences will remember from the film, allowing the music to punctuate key emotional moments while keeping the tension building throughout.

With such an iconic role, comparisons between Whitney Houston and anyone stepping into Rachel's shoes are almost inevitable, although perhaps not entirely fair. Alternate Rachel Mireia Mambo certainly delivers some technically demanding numbers with confidence, but for me it was Sasha Monique, playing Rachel's sister Nicki, who consistently stole the spotlight. Her vocals were rich, powerful and effortlessly emotional, adding real depth whenever she appeared on stage.

Mireia Mambo (Rachel Marron). Photo Paul Coltas

One of the production's strengths lies in its willingness to experiment theatrically. Director Thea Sharrock avoids simply recreating the film scene for scene, instead introducing moments where the audience is given a glimpse behind the curtain of Rachel's celebrity world. Clever backstage staging and sequences performed in slow motion heightened moments of danger and urgency, creating some of the evening's most memorable visual storytelling.

Not every creative decision landed quite as successfully. The production makes frequent use of projected film alongside the live action, but I found these moments never quite settled into the rhythm of the stage performance. Rather than enhancing the storytelling, they sometimes interrupted it, making the overall production feel more fragmented than immersive.

Musically, however, there is no shortage of crowd pleasing moments. Featuring favourites including Queen of the Night, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I'm Every Woman, How Will I Know and, of course, I Will Always Love You, the score remains the show's greatest asset. These songs continue to resonate with audiences, regardless of whether they know every twist of the story.

Special mention should also go to nine year old Mason Dyett as Fletcher, making his professional debut. He brought warmth and natural charm to the role, giving the production some of its most genuine and touching moments.

While I found parts of the production somewhat uneven, the audience around me clearly embraced it. Laughter came easily throughout, and by the closing moments many were on their feet, celebrating a finale that undoubtedly provides the evening's biggest payoff.

Without spoiling what happens, the final ten minutes transform the atmosphere inside the theatre. The storytelling gives way to pure concert energy, reminding everyone why Whitney Houston's music remains so enduring. It is a finish that sends audiences home smiling and leaves the production on its strongest note.

For those who loved the original film and want to hear some of its most famous songs performed live, The Bodyguard remains an entertaining night at the theatre. While some of its staging choices didn't completely convince me, there is no denying the affection audiences continue to have for this story, or the timeless power of the soundtrack that has made it a classic.