Hull New Theatre – until Saturday 15th July 2023
Reviewed by Maria Gill
5*****
‘Absolutely fabulous’, just one of the comments shared by the crowd leaving The Bodyguard on Monday night.
The singing, choreography, pyrotechnics and other incredible effects were without doubt to a standard that you would be appreciate on any West End stage.
Our initial thoughts before this evening were that The Bodyguard, the movie, would take some living up to. However, these doubts were quickly extinguished within the first song. The acting was good but the singing was executed with such skill and professionalism that it undoubtedly created a wonderful feel-good factor amongst the audience.
Although the cast was not extensive, each member played an integral part, leaving a memorable mark on everyone’s hearts.
We must give credit where it is due, and it gives me great pleasure to acknowledge the outstanding performance of young Manasseh Mapira, who played the character of Fletcher. He is undoubtedly a true star in the making. The comedic value infused with a few surprises along the way added an extra layer of entertainment, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all and kept you on your toes! Moreover, we must express our admiration for the spectacular performances by Emily Mae Walker (understudy Rachel Marron), Samantha Mbolekwa and Ayden Callaghan who all portrayed the main characters. Their talent, charisma, and stage presence were nothing short of exceptional. Their contributions truly elevated the production to new heights. We would highly recommend attending this show to anyone in search of an unforgettable night filled with great performances and a vibrant atmosphere.
‘I have nothing’ else to say but ‘trust in me’ that ‘The Queen of the Night’ was truly Emily Mae Walker and we ‘will always love’ live theatre.