The Bodyguard / our review

Technological INTERESTING amazed!

Dec 3rd, 2012

Natalie Vincent

Natalie Vincent

A successful transition from screen to stage

In Previews until 5th December 2012

Rachel Marron was played by Gloria Onitiri in this reviewed performance on 3rd December 2012

Great night out: for Whitney fans young and older. Just don't be tempted to sing along during the songs, unless you want to upset fellow patrons.

Recommend to friends: a great night out for the ladies and loved-up couples alike. Just be sure to stay after the curtain calls for an extra treat!

Best bit: The karaoke bar scene where Frank sings that song.

Morning after effect: practicing the "fist of passion" (clenching of the fist whilst singing a powerful love song)

It's hard to believe that only in February 2012, the star of the original film, Whitney Houston died. Before any accusations fly around of profiteering, let me point out that this show has been six years in the making.

It is chock-full of her songs that made the film as memorable as it is today, but fit well into the overall narrative well, without halting it. The show has also been given a flawless Noughties update - smart phones make an appearance, whilst the Iraq/Afghanistan wars and emails are referenced throughout, making it a truly timeless story that could be reimagined in 50 years' time.

During this performance, superstar diva Rachel Marron was played with gusto by Gloria Onitiri. Cue lots of quivering lips and a strained husky speaking voice - but she ultimately owned the role. She wasn?t a wannabe Whitney, that?s for sure. Onitiri?s Rachel remained a spoilt and pampered princess to the end, but had softened considerably - which is more believable than the usual 180-degree turnaround.

Debbie Kurup as sister Nicki has a powerful soaring soprano voice, which captured the insecurity of a sister left out of the limelight, and the disappointment of losing Frank to her diva-esque sister - her scene in the bar "I'm Saving All My Love For You" crackled with mutual attraction with Frank. You felt her heart break as she found Frank asleep in Rachel's bed. I would love to see her take the role of Rachel at some point in the future.

Lloyd Owen as bodyguard Frank Farmer sings just one number, albeit a very recognisable one, and manages to carry it off with a voice worthy of Johnny Cash.I personally would have liked to have seen more singing from him, but let's face it, Frank is a serious old soul, perfectly suited to Owen?s wry and deadpan delivery, which often raised laughs from the audience.

The multi talented Mark Letheren played the menacing stalker; the show gave him a human vulnerability. We see him penning his letters to Rachel, singing torturedly whilst feverishly caressing one of her stolen dresses - which made him all the more sinister. Add that to popping up suddenly throughout key scenes, he gave the audience a collective, repeated heart attack.

In my opinion, the star of the show was Jayden Fowora-Knight who played Rachel's precocious son Fletcher. He had an engaging stage presence and a lovely rapport with both Onitiri and Lloyd. His singing and dancing was above and beyond for a boy of his age - watch out for him in years to come. A stage star in the making!

Slow motion lighting used for the high-drama scenes involving Frank, Rachel and her stalker, heightening the tension.

The imaginative use of set walls for iris wipes allows the actors to move between scenes seamlessly. At the start you are treated to a full-on concert experience that Lady Gaga would be jealous of, including pyrotechnics and raised platforms. The biggest gasp of the evening was for Frank's revolving house in the country - how on earth did they get it onto the stage?!

The show also employed an imaginative use of video projection to denote off-stage action, including a thrilling chase through the woods in pursuit of Rachel's stalker.

One negative would be the overuse of strobe lighting for the showstopper numbers - I'm not epileptic but at times I found myself wincing, along with other audience members. One to avoid if you have health problems caused by strobe lighting.

View our show pages for more information about The Bodyguard, Adelphi Theatre.

The Bodyguard, Adelphi Theatre, London

The Bodyguard

4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating

Adelphi Theatre: Closed Aug 30, 2014

Beverley Knights stars as Rachel Marron as The Bodyguard returns to the West End to give audiences another chance to seein this heartfelt musical love letter to the late, great soul goddess Whitney Houston....more info

Book TicketsBook tickets for The Bodyguard, Adelphi Theatre, London

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