THE BODYGUARD | STAGE REVIEW
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Wed 17 Apr
After recently seeing Jersey Boys and The Motown Story, both incredible shows, at this venue, I was hoping The Bodyguard would hit the same high standards. How wrong was I – it surpassed these shows from the start, when the audience jumped out of their seats. (When you see it, you’ll totally get what I mean – trust me!) Alexandra Burke had the audience mesmerised with her incredible voice, opening classic Queen Of The Night, with an outstanding support cast of dancers, letting us know this was going to be one hell of an evening.
Burke, of course, won X Factor in 2008, going on to appear on Strictly in 2017; she has the XYZ factor, never mind only X. Maybe no-one sings Whitney Houston songs like Whitney, but Burke definitely gives her a run for her money on the evidence of her breathtaking performance as Rachel Marron.
Her bodyguard – Frank Farmer, the role Kevin Costner made famous – was played by the steely Benoit Marechal, who fulfilled the role in a quietly brooding manner. I found him a bit wooden in parts, but he delivered a solid support role. Rachel’s jealous sister Nikki Marron was recreated by the talented Rosie Cava-Beale, telling the story of the battle to protect Rachel and her son Fletcher from a crazy stalker as Rachel and Frank clash, argue and ultimately fall in love.
Using songs from the original film – Run To You, I Have Nothing, I’m Every Woman – with sprinklings of other Whitney classics like How Will I Know, The Greatest Love Of All, Saving All My Love, Million Dollar Bill, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and So Emotional, the first half came to a close with everyone left begging for more. It was like a theatre show and concert rolled into one.
Post-interval, Burke regaled us with One Moment In Time, Run To You – again! – and Bodyguard classic I Will Always Love You, which would have even Whitney applauding. After a standing ovation, the whole cast had everyone cutting a few shapes to I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
If you want to experience a genuinely memorable, feelgood show this Easter, don’t miss this – truly five stars across the board.
words KEV PEDARLINO
The Bodyguard is at the Wales Millennium Centre until Sat 27 Apr