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By Julie Wallis twitter.com/NiceNic63
The Bodyguard The Musical at The Alexandra
Directed by Thea Sharrock, screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan, book by Alexander Dinelaris
Wow! What a spectacular show!
Based on the 1992 film of the same name, The Bodyguard tells the story of Rachel Marron, a superstar singer with hit after hit under her belt. When Rachel (Alexandra Burke) finds she has a stalker she hires the best Bodyguard in the business, Frank Farmer (Ben Lewis) to keep her and her family safe.
Last nights show was a theatrical masterpiece! With a stonking soundtrack that includes I wanna dance with somebody, Queen of the night, I’m every woman and the one that had me in tears Run to you. As for Miss Burke’s rendition of I will always love you, I have no words! It was mind-blowingly brilliant.
I loved the last few minutes too, when all the audience were encouraged to get up on their feet and to dance and make some noise. I must admit it was tough to listen to so many terrific tunes and not sing along.
With amazing performances from everyone involved, last nights show blew me away. It really was spectacular. I loved everything about last night. Not only is the soundtrack amazing thanks to a wonderful orchestra, Michael Riley, Musical Director really captures the live concert feel at the start of the show.
The outfits are beautiful, with what seemed like hundreds of outfit changes, although in truth it was only in the twenty’s, Miss Burke looks every inch the superstar when she is wearing her sequins, and when she appears through the fog and rises 15 feet into the air looking like a goddess it’s easy to forget you’re still in a theatre in Birmingham.
The sets are outrageous, beginning with a live concert from Rachel Marron, we are whisked from Rachel’s home to a log cabin, to a recording studio and back to her son’s bedroom with ease.
I don’t recall ever seeing a stage show with so many changes of set and yet everything went so smoothly. Well.. if we ignore the small ‘technical problem’ when a flame would not extinguish and that was dealt with quickly and cleanly. Even the fire extinguisher wielding stagehand got a rapturous round of applause for saving all our lives!
I can not review The Bodyguard without mentioning Emmy Willow, who plays the part of Rachel’s sister, Nicki Marron, another stunning voice, Emmy sounded fantastic whether she was singing alone or accompanying Alexandra Burke. Emmy is certainly gifted with a beautiful voice. Rachel’s son Fletcher is played by a different child each night, our Fletcher was as cute as a button and a gifted young actor.
I do so love going to the theatre and totally forgetting the outside world for a few hours and The Bodyguard transported me away for a few hours no problem. I felt joyous as I left.
The Bodyguard is just how musical theatre should be uplifting, fun and magical.
The Bodyguard is at The Alexandra until 1st February. Book tickets with BrumHour’s affiliate link >> HERE <<.
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