The Bodyguard at the Dominion Theatre
Based on the smash-hit film starring the late Whitney Houston, The Bodyguard returns to the London stage for a strictly limited season. West End veteran Beverley Knight, also dubbed the “Queen of British Soul”, stars as fictional superstar Rachel Marron to deliver this much-loved story and iconic soundtrack.
A singer at the peak of her career and on track to win Oscar-fame, Rachel is suddenly confronted with disturbing messages from a stalker. In order to protect herself, her sister Nicki, and her son Fletcher, Frank Farmer (Ben Richards) is hired as a personal bodyguard with a special set of skills. Though she is reluctant and stubborn upon hearing Frank’s overly protective conditions, she quickly succumbs to his safety measures when she realises her life is in danger at a concert. The two form an unlikely love story, much to Nicki’s dismay, but can Frank continue to do his job when he’s romantically entangled with a client?
Understudy Carole Stennett filled in for Knight (who is not scheduled for Monday or midweek matinee performances), gaining applause and appreciation from her audience. Stennett and the company’s high-energy performance combined with an unparalleled production value ensured a highly entertaining evening. From glitter, to lights, to pyrotechnics, to massive projections, The Bodyguard’s technical budget must have been on par with a Beyoncé tour, and Stennett certainly acted the part.
Not only was the production visually impressive in the Broadway-sized Dominion Theatre, but it was also vocally stunning. Praise must go to Rachel John as Nicki with her flawless vocals in memorable ballads, like Saving All My Love and the melodic duet, Run To You. The ensemble numbers, including favourites such as Queen of the Night and I Will Always Love You, were packed with fiercely energetic choreography and visual effects that made it difficult for the audience to stay seated.
Although The Bodyguard featured exceptional vocal and dancing talent, the cheesiness of the whole thing was hard to ignore. This allowed certain scenes to be more comical than intended, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It just cemented the show as the feel-good favourite of the summer.
Dominique Perrett
The Bodyguard is on at the Dominion Theatre from 15th July 2016 until 7th January 2017. Book your tickets here.
Watch Beverley Knight star in The Bodyguard trailer here:
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