There is a certain expectation that comes with The Bodyguard. Big vocals, high stakes, glossy drama, and that roof lifting finale. This touring production, however, feels oddly underpowered from the outset.
Starring Sidonie Smith as Rachel Marron alongside Adam Garcia as Frank Farmer, the show never quite finds its dramatic footing. The central performances are frustratingly flat, with a noticeable lack of emotional truth. Scenes that should crackle with tension, paranoia and forbidden chemistry simply drift by. There is little sense of danger, little sense of escalation, and as a result, little payoff.
Vocally, the evening is uneven. Sidonie Smith delivers competently but the role demands vocal fireworks. The much anticipated “I Have Nothing” is dropped a tone lower, and while transpositions are not unusual in touring productions, here it dulls the impact of what should be one of the show’s defining vocal moment. The climactic belt never quite arrives, leaving the number curiously muted rather than triumphant.
In contrast, Sasha Monique as Nikki Marron provides the standout performance of the night. Her rendition of “Saving All My Love” is the clear highlight, vocally assured, emotionally grounded and dramatically engaging. Every time Nikki steps forward, the energy sharpens and the show feels momentarily alive. It is telling that the most compelling musical moment belongs not to Rachel, but to her sister.
Direction is perhaps the production’s greatest weakness. There is a serious lack of cohesion and build. Major plot points land without impact, not to mention that lacklustre signature image of Farmer holding Rachel that should result in cheers. Suspense is never allowed to simmer, and the show’s big epic moments feel strangely small. Even the climactic scenes lack urgency, unfolding without the pulse-pounding tension the material requires.
Visually, the set design does little to elevate proceedings. Functional and sparse, it has the unfortunate aesthetic of something assembled from a flat pack catalogue. For a story rooted in celebrity glamour and high-stakes protection, the world feels disappointingly ordinary.
The Bodyguard remains powered by a catalogue of iconic songs, but without strong direction, compelling acting and vocal bravura, nostalgia alone cannot carry the night. There are flashes of what it could be, but overall this production feels curiously safe, when it should feel anything but.
Reviewed by Olivia Ruggiero
Two Stars.
Photo credit Paul Coltas.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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