The Bodyguard

Musicals

West End

Adelphi Theatre

Until Sat Mar 8 2014

© Paul Coltas

James Wooldridge (ensemble), Heather Headley (Rachel Marron) Lloyd Owen (Frank Farmer)
© Paul Coltas

Lloyd Owen (Frank Farmer)
the-bodyguard.jpg

James Wooldridge (ensemble), Heather Headley (Rachel Marron) Lloyd Owen (Frank Farmer)

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Time Out says

Thu Dec 6 2012

There is surely an excruciatingly tacky musical adaptation of the Whitney Houston-starring romantic thriller 'The Bodyguard' to be made. But this is not it. In fact Thea Sharrock's production could scarcely look pricier if Lloyd Owen's personal security guard Frank Farmer had been charged with protecting an enormous pile of real gold bullion, as opposed to Heather Headley's singing superstar Rachel Marron

The undoubted star of Sharrock's stylish production is the extraordinary set – a series of mobile panels which open and close like a giant, mobile camera shutter, blinking in and out, and panning cinematographically in every direction. It gives 'The Bodyguard' a tightly edited, filmic slickness the likes of which I've never seen in the theatre, and goes some way to making up for one of the ropiest scripts in musical history.

Seriously: even Steven Seagal might have doubts about Alexander Dinelaris's book, in which most characters struggle to achieve one dimension. The most rounded is Owen's granite-like Frank, a taciturn super-agent who communicates solely in macho quips. Next is Headley's Rachel, who treats everyone horribly until Frank saves her life, at which point she becomes lovely. At the bottom of the pile is Rachel's stalker (Mark Letheren). All you need to know about him is that his character's name is actually The Stalker.

This might not be a problem in more flamboyant musicals. But 'The Bodyguard' is closer to a play with Whitney Houston songs, with many parts – notably Frank – being non-singing. As a result, Owen and Headley enjoy almost no chemistry, because they don't duet, they don't have very many lines and the lines they do have sound like dialogue from a computer game. Emotionally involving it is not.

But there are other things to like: Tony-winning US actor Headley offers showstopping vocals with minimum fuss and Houston's ballads are all smartly contextualised. Aesthetically, it's been nicely updated to the world of emails and mobile phones (though that metal dress is a sad casualty of the makeover). And the gifted Sharrock steers the ship blessedly clear of camp – not quite one for the lads, but the bloke on the street might be surprised by how much he enjoys it.

Watching 'The Bodyguard' is like watching a slick Hollywood blockbuster unfold live in front of you, and that's no bad thing. If shows that prize FX over human warmth are to be the future of the musical then that's not so good, but I'd defy anyone who appreciates a spectacle not to enjoy this finely wrought hokum.

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Venue details

MAP

Name:
Adelphi Theatre
Address:
Adelphi Theatre The Strand
London
WC2R 0NS

Transport:
Tube: Charing Cross
Map
1. Adelphi Theatre
  - The Strand
    London
    WC2R 0NS
  - 51.510154,-0.122802

Event phone:
020 7492 9930
Event website:
www.thebodyguardmusical.com

Categories:
Theatre. West End. Musicals
Type of event:
Plays and shows

The Bodyguard 2013 - 2014

Date Time Price information
Wed Jun 19

19:30

£20-£95. Runs 2hrs 30mins. Booking until Sep 28
Buy tickets
Thu Jun 20

19:30

£20-£95. Runs 2hrs 30mins. Booking until Sep 28
Buy tickets
Fri Jun 21

17:00

£20-£95. Runs 2hrs 30mins. Booking until Sep 28
Buy tickets

20:30
Sat Jun 22

15:00

£20-£95. Runs 2hrs 30mins. Booking until Sep 28
Buy tickets

19:30
Mon Jun 24

19:30

£20-£95. Runs 2hrs 30mins. Booking until Sep 28
Buy tickets
Tue Jun 25

19:30

£20-£95. Runs 2hrs 30mins. Booking until Sep 28
Buy tickets
Wed Jun 26

15:00

£20-£95. Runs 2hrs 30mins. Booking until Sep 28
Buy tickets

19:30
Thu Jun 27

19:30

£20-£95. Runs 2hrs 30mins. Booking until Sep 28
Buy tickets
Fri Jun 28

17:00

£20-£95. Runs 2hrs 30mins. Booking until Sep 28
Buy tickets

20:30
Sat Jun 29

15:00

£20-£95. Runs 2hrs 30mins. Booking until Sep 28
Buy tickets

19:30

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Comments & ratings

(7 ratings)

First half is slow, no belting out of numbers, stage graphics out of sync and dated. Doesn't strutt when on stage, but looks at her shoes? What's that about! You're supposed to be an established star. Only until the last song of the first act does it start to pick up. Note to sound technician - turn her mic up! Second half much better. Seriously lacks tone and warmth though. Not worth the money. Ghost FAR BETTER!

Simon Burman Fri May 31
Rated as: 1/5
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Don't Go Unless heather is playing as rachel marron ! Major Dissapointment. If Your A Heather Fan They stuck in an understudy's understudy from the musical esemble . Costumes didn't fit ,but above all the awful! vocal scraeming almost unbearable and totaly out of tune !!!,Janet Kumar was her name not even listed as an undertsudy never heard of her ever. check an make shore heather is on !!! i was told now its been previewed for first few weeks she only does a few shows and one weekend show ! dissapointing ! false advertising in a way its like there filling seats and giving customers false expectations !!!

russell thomas Wed Jan 9
Rated as: 1/5
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The review is spot on! I waited so long to see this and while it was the most amazing set I have seen in a musical (they did have to stop the show 3 times as the set wouldn't move...disaster) the acting was beyond bad. The character of Rachel is extremely unlikeable and Frank is so monotone. I want to like it, I really do....but the money and time seems to have all gone to the set and not into the script. Ohhh and Rachel wears the same jeans in about 6 scenes...that annoyed the crap outta me! No metal dress, just those jeans!!!

Naite Thu Dec 13 2012
Rated as: 2/5
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What can I say a wonderful musical and at a price that everyone can afford. Do yourself a faver an see this must see musical as soon as possible. FANTASTIC !!!!!!

Rowan Black Wed Dec 12 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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I couldn't agree more with The Guardian and Time Out's review. I saw during preview period and both my friend and myself were not impressed. The show and performers are very much let down by the book, there isn't the tension that should be there, the iconic outfit featured in the marketing and advertising on the programme cover doesn't even feature in the show. Was very disappointing but fantastic individual performances.

Sara Thu Dec 6 2012
Rated as: 2/5
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Message to Mark: Heather Headley is great performer, but not sure if the star is about to be born as she's already won a Tony on Broadway :)

Sara Thu Dec 6 2012
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This zipped along very nicely indeed - I agree that the script was wooden and didn't convey any chemistry between the characters, especially the leads. There wasn't even much tension, which given the plot is kind of mystifying - there were a few moments of drama though. The singing was top notch though and the set dazzling - together with the fast pace it made for a very enjoyable night out.

Sophie Thu Dec 6 2012
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This could be the surprise winner of this years new show openings. I think a star is about to be born in Heather Headley - book! But try to see her

mark Wed Nov 28 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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How do we get tickets for £30? Thanks!

Danielle Roberts Thu Nov 22 2012
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The Bodyguard

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