Gunshots shatter the silence, flames leap across the stage, and pyrotechnics light up the night. No time for nodding off here – the audience is instantly thrust into the glitzy, high-stakes world of pop superstar Rachel Marron. Sequins, danger and drama collide, and somehow, that’s before the romance even begins.
Thirty-three years ago, The Bodyguard stormed the box office, becoming 1992’s second highest-grossing film with $411 million. It is remembered not only for the sizzling chemistry between Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston but for Houston’s breathtaking ‘I Will Always Love You’ – a song that defined a decade.
On stage, Sidonie Smith rises to the challenge, channeling Houston while adding her own fierce energy as Rachel Marron. Opposite her, Adam Garcia is Frank Farmer incarnate: brooding, stoic, quietly magnetic. Their contrasting personalities spark tension and heat, and the chemistry crackles through Houston’s iconic hits, from ‘I Have Nothing’ to ‘Run to You’.
And the music? It steals the show. Every number lands with concert-like intensity, thanks to Mark Henderson’s dazzling lighting, Richard Brooker’s crisp sound and Duncan McLean’s immersive video design. Each song is a spectacle, a full-throttle celebration of Houston’s legacy that will have you on your feet.
The stage adaptation also adds thoughtful twists. The expanded soundtrack drops extra Whitney classics seamlessly into Rachel’s world. Rivalry with her sister Nicki – powerfully played by Sasha Monique – gets a thrilling boost with her own commanding musical numbers. Meanwhile, the film’s two villains are condensed into one, James-Lee Harris, whose early reveal turns into a jaw-dropping, show-stopping finale that transforms menace into vocal fireworks. Fans of the original need not worry: the heart and romance remain intact.
By the final bow, you will leave humming Houston’s timeless anthems, heart racing from romance, suspense and spectacle. The Bodyguard: The Musical proves a modern classic can be reborn for the stage – glittering, thrilling and unapologetically bold.
