EMPIRE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL 25TH MARCH 2023
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
4****
Having grown up listening to Whitney Houston’s music playing on the radio and watching The Bodyguard at the cinema in 1992, I was a little bit apprehensive about watching the show. Despite becoming an international, award-winning smash hit musical, I was chary of it turning out to be a Whitney Houston tribute act instead of a West End Show, but this musical made a significant impact from the offshoot. I was pleasantly surprised!
Let’s be honest, the real reason audiences love The Bodyguard is the incredible soundtrack featuring Whitney Houston. Stepping into the shoes of an icon must have been demanding for former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton, but from the moment she appears on stage, belting out ‘Queen Of The Night’, she commands the audience and makes the role her own!
Whilst Thornton (Rachel Marron) might be the real star, Emily-Mae (Nicki Marron) as Rachel’s sister comes close to stealing the show. She is an excellent addition to the cast and shows off some awe-inspiring vocals in ‘Saving All My Love For You’, standing out as a highlight for me.
Youngster Iesa Miller who plays Rachel’s son, Fletcher is lovable with his charming smile and receives some of the loudest cheers of the night during act two and the encore when he shows off some surprising vocals.
There is some amazing choreography throughout by Karen Bruce and the dancers are full of relentless energy. Tim Hatley’s set and costume design makes the audience feel like they’re at an explosive, fiery live concert.
Ultimately this show is all about the music and with Musical Director Sam Hall and his five-piece orchestra delivering the score of emotional and lively numbers with such energy, the audience was desperate to get up on their feet and join in.
It is 11 years since the tragic death of Whitney Houston but her legacy lives on in The Bodyguard The Musical. Alexander Dinelaris (book) brings the story forward to the present day. The musical will conjure up feelings of nostalgia and you don’t have to be a Houston fan to appreciate how grand it is.