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★★★
The stage adaptation of the hit 1992 film The Bodyguard has been touring the UK and Europe for 2025/2026. The last stop of the tour is the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and this week I had the pleasure of attending opening night at the venue. Despite covering musicals on the website for the best part of 5 years, it was my first time watching this extremely popular show that has toured the country multiple times. Adapted for the stage by Alexander Dinelaris and directed by Thea Sharrock, whilst there is plenty of romance and suspense, it leans a little too heavily into the success and familiarity of the source material, holding the production back from truly soaring as a standalone piece of work.
From screen to stage
Consistent to the film, the musical centres on the relationship between pop star Rachel Marron (Mireia Mambo) and her bodyguard Frank Farmer (Adam Garcia). The characters were made famous by Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, and there are various similarities and differences between their stories on film and on stage. With the action brought forward to the present day, former Secret Service Agent Frank gets the job after it is discovered that Rachel has a persistent stalker and will stop at nothing to ensure both the singer and her son Fletcher are safe from the threats. This is a musical full of twists and turns, with the thrilling book a real highlight.
Set to songs from the film’s soundtrack and various other Houston tracks, this jukebox musical will appeal to both fans of the film and the renowned singer/actress, thanks to its memorable score. Mambo and Sasha Monique who plays Nicki Marron (Rachel’s sister) lead the company through the musical numbers, showcasing so much power in their voices throughout this demanding score.
Visual design
With such big anthems in the show and a Hollywood love story at its centre, this musical has everything in its toolkit to be a roaring success but it is somewhat let down by the set design in my opinion. Rachel and Frank frequent many locations throughout their time together, but on multiple occasions a curtain with a wall-like texture is lowered between scenes. Whilst the performer in focus remains in front of the curtain and the narrative continues, the constant flicking between detailed locations and the walled street risks becoming repetitive and creating lulls in the overall storytelling. There are also moments in Rachel’s mansion, where either a split stage effect is used or half of the space is covered by curtains in the house. Whilst the latter helps build suspense and disguise some of the upcoming action in places, at other times it feels like the stage isn’t being used to its full potential.
Nostalgic and full of pop anthems
There is plenty to enjoy in this musical, specifically strong musical performances, Karen Bruce’s dynamic choreography, moments of chilling drama and believable chemistry between the two leads Mambo and Garcia. For a piece based in the modern day, the set design just feels a little tired compared to newer musicals and consequently disrupts the flow of the overall piece. There are also some projections which feel too nineties cinema for a theatre piece and don’t help with the overall impression. That being said, you leave The Bodyguard emotionally moved by the heartbreaking last number ‘I Will Always Love You’ and on a high after the electric finale featuring ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’. The show is at the Marlowe Theatre until Saturday 29th August, with the last few tickets available via the venue’s website.
*My ticket for The Bodyguard was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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