The run of theatrical West End show THE BODYGUARD may be coming to an end at the end of the month, but is it worth a watch?
Alexandra Burke’s time as a leading lady in London’s West End is about to come to an end, as THE BODYGUARD musical will close the curtains for the final time on August 29th, 2014.
Despite the impending end of the production at the Adelphi Theatre, the Friday night evening performance certainly pulled in a highly charged, pumped up audience who were there to enjoy the performance – and what a performance it was, particularly by Burke who plays the leading lady in a theatrical adaptation of the Hollywood blockbuster movie.
The show gets off to a good start, with Burke demonstrating why she caught our attention on popular reality TV programme X FACTOR after the singer opens up the show in style unveiling a powerful rendition of ‘Queen of the Night,’ with her impressive vocals booming around the Adelphi, alongside a wall of stats and sliding scenery accompanied by impressive projections and pyrotechnics. In the first few minutes, it felt like it really was an introduction to a contestant on the X FACTOR.
Prior to Burke being cast in the production back in June, soul singer Beverley Knight shone in the role during her impressive stint at the theatre, but the former X Factor winner seems very comfortable on the theatrical stage now and has put her vocal talents to good use and her acting skills to the test in the production having taken on the part of fiction soul superstar, Rachel Marron.
The 25-year-old is very convincing as her character – she oozes confidence and has the swagger needed to play the feisty role of Rachel, stepping into shoes previously worn by the late Whitney Houston in the film.
Burke holds her own alongside co-star Carole Stennett, who plays Rachel’s overlooked sister, Nicki. When they duet on ‘Run To You’, Stennett’s voice is clear, precise, sensational and more importantly emotional – and whilst the duo are performing together, it is clear the audience are going to be enjoying a singing masterclass session for three hours.
Throughout the opening scenes, Burke has thoroughly taken on the role of Rachel and is at ease with the character, particularly alongside her co-star Tristan Gemmill, who plays the infamous bodyguard Frank Farmer, made famous in the film by Kevin Costner. The two work well alongside each other on stage and it is clear to see they have developed a confident, professional rapport with each other and as their onstage chemistry grows, so does the strength in Burke’s performances.
Gemmill is very believable as Frank, an over-cautious security man who is attracted to the high demanding diva, but certain aspects appeared too slow, such as the scene where Rachel is performing onstage and her stalker is close by – cue the infamous lifting up and carrying her off scene with her hero – her bodyguard. By performing in slow-motion, it reduced the intensity of what was supposed to be a heart racing, nervy moment.
However, by the end of Act One and the closing performance of ‘I Have Nothing,’ Burke is able to smash the performance and deliver a world-class rendition of the famous song.
It is obvious to see throughout the performance that the characters are having fun playing their roles and are at ease delivering their performances, particularly Burke who is clearly enjoying acting out a hopelessly in love diva who is at the peril of a mad stalker and her acting abilities are tested during an unexpected twist and emotional scene with Stennett at a log cabin house.
It is the final scene which the audience are all waiting for – and of course the finale musical number, as Rachel steps out at the Academy Awards where she is set to have one last tryst with her stalker. Her final trio of songs are performed with perfection as she effortlessly sings ‘One Moment in Time’, as the gun-waving stalker prepares to close the Academy Awards with a bang…
Then finally, there’s the song which the whole audience has been waiting for, the pinnacle musical number of the late Houston’s career, which helped to catapult the movie into blockbuster history – ‘I Will Always Love You.’ You could practically hear the whole audience building up with awaited breath sitting silently, waiting for the emotional moment of the entire show – and of course, Burke nailed not only that high note, but the whole song and to rapturous applause too – deservedly so.
The final song of the night is ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ the show-closer which gets everyone up on their feet, dancing and leaving the show with a smile on their face.
Burke’s acting is great, but there’s no surprise in her voice having the greatest entertainment factor – a real treat to hear Houston’s songs delivered with as much passion, accuracy and emotion which they deserve. Burke has shown a great flexibility in her performance capabilities and she certainly knows how to command the stage.
The show is closing at the end of the month, but if you have not watched the production yet, you may still have a chance – and possibly at a venue near to you. THE BODYGUARD will go on a national tour starting in February, 2015. Here are the current tour information dates:
THE BODYGUARD – UK AND IRELAND TOUR 2015
THURSDAY 12 – SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY
MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON – www.mayflower.org.uk
ON SALE NOW
WEDNESDAY 4 – SATURDAY 14 MARCH
KING’S THEATRE GLASGOW – www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre
ON SALE NOW
TUESDAY 17 – SATURDAY 28 MARCH
HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE ABERDEEN – www.aberdeenperformingarts.com
ON SALE NOW
WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL – SATURDAY 18 APRIL
THEATRE ROYAL NEWCASTLE – www.theatreroyal.co.uk
ON SALE NOW
TUESDAY 21 APRIL – SATURDAY 2 MAY
WOLVERHAMPTON GRAND THEATRE – www.grandtheatre.co.uk
ON SALE NOW
TUESDAY 19 – SATURDAY 30 MAY
REGENT THEATRE STOKE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre
ON SALE NOW
TUESDAY 2 – SATURDAY 13 JUNE
ALHAMBRA THEATRE BRADFORD – www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
ON SALE NOW
TUESDAY 16 JUNE –SATURDAY 27 JUNE
WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF – www.wmc.org.uk
PUBLIC ON SALE 2 SEPTEMBER 2014
TUESDAY 7 – SATURDAY 18 JULY
THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH – www.theatreroyal.com
ON SALE SOON
TUESDAY 21 JULY – SATURDAY 1 AUGUST
BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE – www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie
ON SALE SOON
– See more at: http://www.thebodyguardmusical.com/news/latest/#sthash.O4kW9XPH.dpuf
