Review by Amelia at Milton Keynes Theatre
The Bodyguard Musical, based on the iconic 1992 film of the same name starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, is currently on a tour around the UK, reminding everyone that Houston’s music never grows tired. When former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker, the love story that entails is unexpected from both ends, making it all the more epic. I feel I must start this review by stating that I’ve never seen the film, and so I’m reviewing the show based purely off of what I saw at the theatre. This might not be such a bad thing — my mum (shoutout to Karen) was left unimpressed by the stage version a few years back, despite her undying love for the film. Then again, she’s also the same woman who was distraught that Patrick Swayze didn’t turn up at the Dirty Dancing UK tour, so there’s that.
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| Photo by Paul Coltas |
The cast in this production is led by Sidonie Smith as Rachel Marron and Adam Garcia as Frank Farmer, both delivering outstanding performances. Smith is a captivating leading lady — her vocals alone could carry the entire show, but she also brings emotional depth and sharp wit to the role. Garcia is grounded and assured as Farmer, and it’s genuinely amusing to watch him struggle through karaoke, knowing what an incredible singer he really is. Together, the two share electric chemistry, making their journey effortless to invest in.
Sasha Monique gives a standout performance as Rachel’s sister Nicki. Her take on Saving All My Love is a real showstopper and one of the emotional peaks of the night. For anyone coming in blind to the story, her ending hits hard and is heartbreaking. This coupled with her unrequited love for Farmer and constant sense of being second best to her sister are beautifully portrayed. I have to give a shoutout to the young performers playing Fletcher, such an endearing role and some amazing vocals on display here! James-Lee Harris gives everything as the Stalker, delivering a genuinely chilling performance.
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| Photo by Paul Coltas |
Duncan McLean’s video design excels in these moments, heightening the tension and adding an unsettling, cinematic edge to the production. Again, having not seen the film, I found the whole presence of this character surprisingly terrifying, with his unpredictability keeping me on edge throughout. The eventual reveal of his identity felt straight out of a horror movie, and I thought it was brilliant. I could’ve done without the jump scares though - I nearly spilled my Coke Zero over the person next to me.
The ensemble and supporting cast are truly putting in the work, bringing incredible energy to every scene. The opening number was a fantastic start — the bursts of fire from the stage were unexpected but undeniably impressive. Karen Bruce’s choreography is sharp and dynamic, blending a range of styles that keep the movement fresh and exciting. Tim Hatley’s costume design shines throughout, especially in the big ensemble numbers where every detail catches the light. The set design feels well-matched to each location and makes great use of the Milton Keynes Theatre’s large stage. Speaking of which, the venue itself is absolutely stunning, so I can’t wait to see more theatre there. There did seem to be an issue with the lighting, particularly stage left, where the spotlight just couldn’t find the actors throughout the whole performance which was a shame, but this was the only lighting problem.
The Bodyguard Musical is a full-scale touring production of the beloved film, directed with flair by Thea Sharrock. If you’re a fan of the movie or Whitney Houston’s iconic music, this is a must-see, but even if you’ve never seen it like me, the musical theatre of it all is equally as inviting. The musical is packed with Whitney Houston-era hits including: Queen of the Night, So Emotional, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, I Will Always Love You. I’m saving all my love for this new production of The Bodyguard, and recommend you do too. The final stop listed for the UK tour is at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury from Monday 24 August to Saturday 29 August 2026.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tickets are available from https://www.thebodyguardmusical.com/
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| Photo by Paul Coltas |
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