REVIEW: The Bodyguard The Musical at the Sheffield Lyceum

The Bodyguard

Sheffield Lyceum

(until November 7)

The 1992 Oscar nominated film starring the late singer and Kevin Costner made its world premiere as a musical three years ago in London.

The show is now touring the country and I caught the opening night at Sheffield Lyceum on Wednesday. 

After recently seeing the stage versions of other classic films like East is East and The Full Monty, which didn’t really set me alight, I feared The Bodyguard would suffer the same fate.

But this show is in a different class and is by far my favourite film to stage adaptation.

The script translates so well onto the stage because of the performance element of the narrative and fantastic set design.

X Factor winner Alexandra Burke takes on Houston’s famous character, singer Rachel Marron.

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer (Stuart Reid), is hired to protect Rachel from an unknown stalker, but his job becomes harder when he falls in love with her.

It takes a big pair of lungs to fill Whitney’s shoes, but I expected Burke to deliver after seeing what she was capable of on the talent show. She is, of course, the X Factor contestant who was able to hold her own in a duet with Beyonce.

Burke doesn’t disappoint and brings a modern-day diva feel to the role along with a more huskier tone as she belts out THE greatest, but most difficult love songs of all time, including Run to You, I Have Nothing and I Will Always Love You.

It is an absolutely formidable soundtrack and it was so hard trying not to warble out loud along with them.

The stage version differs from the film as it cleverly weaves in more of Whitney’s back catalogue, like her 2009 hit Million Dollar Bills and I Wanna Dance with Somebody, so doubles up as a musical tribute like Mamma Mia.

Whitney’s songs are so special to me, so it was great to hear them again and delivered by professionals, as opposed to me on a Saturday night karaoke.

Melissa James as jealous sister Nicki Marron also puts in a stunning vocal performance, but don’t worry...there’s no singing bodyguard.

The set design constantly shifts and is interspersed with visuals to give a polished cinematic quality.

There’s also some big dance performances where Burke’s pop background sits well as I was transported from theatre to live gig.

Bad guy Mike Denman who plays The Stalker allowed the Sheffield crowd to warm up for the panto season as his chilling portrayal left everyone booing and shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

A worthwhile crossover that has become even more poignant.