Theatre Review: The Bodyguard, Bristol Hippodrome
SUMMARY
Rating: ★★★★★
Running Dates: 17 July 2023 - 22 July 2023
Where to see it: Bristol Hippodrome
Duration: 2 hours and 35 minutes (including 20-minute interval)
Keywords: Musical, Romance, Whitney Houston
Photo by Paul Coltas
Literal flames light up the stage as Rachel Marron owns the scene in the first of her many amazing performances throughout this shining musical. Right from the start, you know that Melody Thornton, who plays Rachel, is going to nail every single Whitney Houston song - there is no denying the pressure of measuring up to such a legend of the music scene, but Melody makes every song her own, her voice adapting to the atmosphere of every scene she is also playing.
If you have watched the film, you know well who The Bodyguard is - Frank comes in, reluctantly, to protect Rachel and her son Fletcher as a stalker seems to become a danger to their lives.
Despite this storyline, other little scenarios play out throughout the musical: the relationship between Rachel and Nicki, who are sisters, takes shape as we learn about Nicki’s secret wish - Emily-Mae, who plays Nicki, effortlessly reveals her singing talent, unfortunately dismissed by her sister’s light since they were children.
The impressive skills of the two main singers on stage and of the dancers is surely alternated by moments of pure cuteness as Fletcher comes in at different times - protecting his mother, bonding with Frank, but most importantly dancing and singing himself! I must say he cast a shadow on the rest of the performers whenever he was on stage!
Photo by Paul Coltas
This musical delivers on all the glitter, the glamour, the (literal) breathtaking moments, the romance and the realisations of real life relationship management that none of us can avoid. There are also moments of taking the audience back to the original film, as black and white scenes are projected on the stage from time to time. The whole musical has little imperfections that are clearly studied to take us back to the times when the film came out.
Now to the main point of the evening: it is very difficult not to sing along with the performers, but I promise that you will be given a chance at some point - hang in there!
Photo by Paul Coltas
Standout Moment: Cliché, I know, but the moment Rachel sings “I Will Always Love You” cannot possibly be topped!
Similar Plays: Pretty Woman, An Officer and a Gentleman, Moulin Rouge
See if: You love Whitney and marvel at great singing talents!
Last Impression: Things can go wrong in life, but our most important relationships in life can survive anything!
Written by Angela Masella