The Bodyguard - New Wimbledon Theatre

Based on the notorious 1992 movie with Whitney Houston, The Bodyguard returns for yet another tour of the UK. It follow the fictional story of Rachel Marron, an international superstar, as she is being targeted by an anonymous stalker. Bodyguard Frank Farmer is subsequently employed to ensure Rachel’s safety, as well as that of her sister and 10-year old son. Having had its previous tour swept up in controversy surrounding audience behaviour in theatres, expectations for this production were undeniably low. Despite the unruly conduct of some of my neighbours, this show proved itself more than worth the trouble and quickly dispelled any lingering scepticism.

Paul Coltas

The premise implies an engaging show, filled with moments of lavish theatrics in Rachel’s performances as well as ones of high and painfully powerful tension. Fortunately, it does not miss. From the jumpscare in the first instants of the first Act (one to note for those prone to sensory overstimulation) to the climax of the affair, the show delivers on all of this in incredibly well thought through and compelling manners. Direction is rarely something this reviewer comments upon, as it is often difficult to distinguish between imposed vision and performer instinct, but here the pacing and transitions deserve genuine commendation. For a touring production that moves weekly, the overall result leaves remarkably little to be desired. The set design by Tim Hatley is thoughtfully constructed, making particularly effective use of screens and projections by Duncan McLean at key moments.

The casting in this production is simply superb. With Sidonie Smith and Adam Garcia leading a strong ensemble cast, the vocals were through the roof. If one had to pick one sour spot however, one would point to the severe underuse of Sasha Monique (who played Rachel’s sister Nicki). How Monique has not yet had the West End at her feet will remain a genuine mystery. The vocals were crystal clear and so effortlessly powerful that Monique stands out as a clear star to look out for going forwards - a ‘star’ with a capital ‘S’. As for Cale Cole (Rachel’s son), he represents some of the best of his generation. At the mere age of 10 years, Cole has commanded the stage and delivered an incredibly heartwarming performance, made all the more impressive by the consideration of the task he has at hand. Truly, the calibre of child actors gracing the stage these days is just beyond phenomenal.

Paul Coltas

As this reviewer has previously written, a jukebox musical is incredibly difficult to make enjoyable for the masses. They are often tailored to specific demographics, and seldom venture beyond this limitation. The Bodyguard is also a movie to stage adaptation, making the scope for criticisms from the audience rather large. That said, the songs seemed perfectly timed and balanced with the scenes performed, ensuring that few moments fell flat.

The Bodyguard delivered exactly what it needed and promised - an evening of high quality vocals, powerful (albeit at times fleeting) moments of passion, and intensity in all the right places. It is not perfect, but for a touring movie to stage production, its shortcomings are few and very easy to forgive. All in all, this was an incredibly satisfying night at the theatre celebrating the work of the legend that is Whitney Houston.

Production Value: 80%

Value for Money: 85%

Personal Enjoyment: 85%

Overall Score: 83% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: New Wimbledon Theatre, London

Playing until: 21st February 2026 before setting off to its next venue

Run Time: Approximately 2h25 - including a 20-minute interval

Tickets for this show can be found at this link.