There are few openings in musical theatre that grab you quite like The Bodyguard.
Yesterday’s opening night performance at the Regent Theatre in Hanley began with bang, quite literally, that caught everyone off guard!
A confident leading pair
Sidonie Smith takes on the role of Rachel Marron with real presence. Her voice is strong, rich, and fills the theatre with ease. She doesn’t try to copy Whitney Houston, instead, she finds her own tone and it works beautifully. The big numbers soar, but it’s the quieter songs that really show her control and warmth.
Adam Garcia is a calm, convincing Frank Farmer. He has that steady presence the role needs, cool on the surface but with just enough emotion underneath. Together they build a believable connection, small glances and pauses doing as much work as the dialogue. It keeps the story grounded even when the set glitters.
Strong support and unexpected highlights
Sasha Monique makes a real impression as Rachel’s sister Nicki. Her voice is something special, and at times she nearly steals the show.
Young Fletcher brought an easy warmth and sincere proper laughs. There was a lot of affection from the audience each time he appeared.
Speaking of laughs, the karaoke scene, which was gloriously off-key, had people chuckling right across the theatre before the tension crept back in.
A villain that makes you jump
The stalker always a shadowy figure in the film, is handled brilliantly.
Overhead projection footage hints at his disturbed thoughts, and those flickering glimpses give a real sense of unease. His sudden appearance at the cabin drew a sharp gasp from the audience, a proper jump-scare moment that sent more than a few people a couple of inches out of their seats.
A show that looks and feels big
This touring production felt slick. The projections and lighting give it a cinematic edge that fits the story’s thriller side.
The dancers deserve full credit. Every number is tight and full of energy, and the band below stage keeps things driving along. There’s a punch to the sound that stops the evening from ever losing momentum.
Music that fills the head, heart and theatre
The songs are what everyone comes for, and they deliver every time. From Greatest Love of All through to Run to You, you forget just how many great Whitney Houston songs there are!
The finale gets everyone moving again. By the curtain call, the audience were standing, clapping along and singing. It’s the kind of ending that sends people out smiling, still humming as they head for the car park.
A feel-good night out
The Bodyguard is a crowd-pleaser, with strong leads, powerful ballads and a good dose of nostalgia, it’s an easy show to love. Judging by the ovation in Hanley, the audience loved it as much as we did!
Grab your tickets from the online box office – https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-bodyguard/regent-theatre
