It is now approaching thirteen years since Bodyguard The Musical was first shown to the public. That number is certainly not unlucky for this production that had the audience dancing with delight at the show’s finale.
The Regent once again proved that it is the beating heartbeat of the Potteries as an excited throng of theatregoers spilled onto the dark streets of the cultural quarter after an exhilarating show.
Rachel Marron (Sidonie Smith) seems to have the world at her feet. The multi-award winning artiste has a delightful ten-year old son Fletcher (Cale Cole) and is the most recognisable face in the world of music.
There is one fly in the ointment of her success though. Nominated for an Oscar for best song, she is very much being pushed on to do everything possible to raise her public profile to secure the famous statuette. Her backing team of sister Nicki (Sasha Monique), Sy Spector (Matt Milburn) and Bill Devaney (John Macauley) are eager to seize every opportunity to put Rachel into the public eye.
However, Bill is keeping a terrible secret from the rest of the team. He has found a number of threatening letters from a stalker (James-Lee Harris) and has enlisted the help of a former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer (Adam Garcia) to become a personal bodyguard to the singer – much to the disgust of head of security Tony (Jonathan Alden).
Despite alarming updates on the stalker from agent Ray Court (Ryan Bennett) and a firm friendship with Fletcher, Farmer is unable to convince his client that she is in severe danger and she tries to dismiss him.
Farmer follows Nicki to a dingy night club where the wannabe singer regularly performs and, being given the chance to be in the spotlight, she believes that there is a chance of a relationship. Spilling out her story of always being second-best in the Marron Household, she reveals the jealous side to her nature.
The dynamics of the situation change when Farmer steps in to rescue Rachel from a highly dangerous situation during an ill-advised public appearance. Marron persuades her guard to take her on a date that allows their feelings to become public. When Nicki finds Frank in her sister’s bed the next morning, the scene is set for a horrific ride for the cast that leads to a highly emotional finale.
With the excellent acting from Garcia and the voice of Smith delivering a delightful score filled with smash hits from the repertoire of Whitney Houston, it would be difficult for this production not to entertain the packed audience. Director Thea Sharrock has ensured that this talent does not go to waste.
The acting and singing are both top notch with a wonderful chemistry between Smith and Garcia. Monique has a difficult role to play but pulls it off so well and is able to showcase her beautiful voice. Harris is an excellent pantomime villain and Cole is so delightful that he caught the heart of every member of the audience. Indeed, every cast member contributed to a wonderful piece of musical theatre as it reached a frenzied finale.
What makes the show so memorable, though, is the work of the creatives. Karen Bruce has shown herself to be an excellent Choreographer as the lively ensemble wove its magic across the stage and Tim Hatley designed highly effective sets and beautiful costumes all enhanced by the excellent video work designed by Duncan McLean and an orchestra that was very ably directed by Charlie Ingles. There was also highly effective lighting and sound directed by Mark Henderson and Richard Brooker respectively that showed that this show had its moments of menace.
For most of those who attended the opening night this would not have been the first time that Bodyguard had been seen by them but the production has the real appeal of its music and a cast that has everything just right that makes the characterisation and the storyline so believable. All of this combines to have a spellbound audience gripped by what is happening before its eyes and willing to invest its faith into the action.
The ending to the tale tugs at the heartstrings but it is so good that after a hugely-deserved standing ovation from the audience the patrons are sent home in party mood with an energetic closing dance routine and rousing song
A fabulous evening’s entertainment. Rachel wants to Dance With Somebody. I would definitely be free. This is One Moment In Time that should not be missed.
The show has a running time of approximately 2 hours 15 minutes and continues until November 8th. For ticket information contact atgtickets.com/stoke
