3 January 2024
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
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Smash-hit musical The Bodyguard has been on tour across the UK for the past year. Now in its final week, the spectacular production has arrived back in Glasgow and is sure to go out with a bang.
Based on the 1992 Oscar nominated film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, The Bodyguard is a blockbusting romantic thriller that translates very well to the stage.
Former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer is hired to be superstar Rachel Marron's bodyguard when her family and her way of life are threatened by a dangerous stalker. As Rachel battles with Frank to find a balance between keeping her family safe, and her desire to live her life freely, things become even more complicated when the two fall in love.
It's clear watching this production that it's a well established, long-running show. It has all the hallmarks of a team who know exactly what they are doing. The production values are off the scale: the sets change at lightning speed with not even the slightest hint of movement or sound from behind stage. The costumes are gorgeous and the lighting, sound and direction are all exquisite. It simply oozes quality from beginning to end.
I'd forgotten how funny the show is! It is a laugh-out-loud, fun and entertaining mix of music, dance and story sure to hold even the shortest of attention spans.
The book is compact. With a relatively short 2 hour run time, there is still plenty of opportunity for a complete story arc interspersed with classic Whitney Houston hits. The fabulous soundtrack includes 'Queen of the Night', 'So Emotional', 'One Moment in Time', 'Saving All My Love', 'Run to You', 'I Have Nothing,' 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' and the spine-tingling 'I Will Always Love You.'
The difficult job of performing these epic songs falls to the exemplary cast. Here multi-platinum Australian recording artist Emily Williams stars as Rachel Marron, with her equally talented sister Nicki, played by the wonderful Emily-Mae. Hollyoaks star Ayden Callaghan smolders as suave bodyguard Frank, and Marios Nicolaides is quietly menacing as the Stalker.
The supporting cast of dancers have to be some of the best in the UK at the moment. With a number of Rachel Marron concert scenes, the dancers are featured heavily and are never anything less than spectacular. It's difficult to know who to watch! Alexandros Beshonges, Kayne Gordon, Jack Hardwick, James-Lee Harris, Kalisha Johnson, Samantha Mbolekwa, Liam Morris, Abbie Quinnen, Charlotte Scally, Yiota Theo and Marco Venturini. All incredible. I am very fond of musical theatre that includes spectacular dancers and dance routines, and The Bodyguard has them in abundance.
On the previous occasions I have seen The Bodyguard, I've been aware that Rachel Marron had a young son, Fletcher, but I don't remember him having too much to do, or leaving any lasting impact on me. Kaylen Luke on the other hand, genuinely stole the show last night. His Fletcher is integrated completely into the storyline and his acting skills are honestly, remarkable. Perfect timing, diction and projection. He also sings and dances - and I mean proper hip hop, keeping up with the adults, never misses a beat, dances! Kaylen has the talent and charisma that will see him go far in the industry, and it was so lovely to see the adult cast give him his centre-stage moment at the curtain call. What a superstar.
The Bodyguard is a great piece of jukebox musical theatre nostalgia that's sure to delight Glasgow audiences on this final week of the tour. Playing at Glasgow Theatre Royal until Sunday 7th January, 2024 - Don't miss it! Listings and tickets below.
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📸 Production photos: Richard Campbell
Listings Information
The Bodyguard: The Musical
Wednesday 3 – Sunday 7 January 2024
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Wed-Sun: 7:30pm
Thu & Sat: 2:30pm
🎟️ Tickets: www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow
🌟REVIEW: The Bodyguard the musical (UK Tour) Glasgow Theatre Royal, January 2024. Emily Williams, Ayden Callaghan, Kaylen Luke, Musical Theatre.🌟
🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Whether I am invited or not has absolutely no impact on my reviews or star ratings.
📸 To see more pictures and videos follow @Lisa_InTheTheatre on Instagram
