Review: The Bodyguard - Norwich Theatre

Adam Garcia as Frank Farmer and Sidonie Smith as Rachel Marron - photo by Paul Coltas

Review by Hannah Smith

The arrival of The Bodyguard in Norwich really does come with a bang - both in spectacle and in audience reaction. 

As someone very familiar with my startle reflex, I wasn’t quite prepared for the opening jump scare (no spoilers but maybe Google it if you’re of a nervous disposition!). 

Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly, Death on the Nile) does a sterling job as Frank Farmer, the stoic, professional bodyguard hired to protect global superstar Rachel Marron, played at this performance by alternate Mireia Mambo, with whom he shared a lovely chemistry.

Garcia brings just the right mixture of quiet charm, controlled power and understated humour to the role. His singing and dancing talents aren’t really used here - a deliberate choice that stays true to Farmer’s character.

Unusually for a jukebox musical, The Bodyguard really only gives singing duties to two characters: Rachel Marron and her sister, Nicki. The one exception is a particularly charming moment in which Garcia delivers some endearingly awkward karaoke. 

Mason Dyett stole every scene he appeared in as Fletcher, Marron’s young son - effortlessly charming, confident, and completely natural on stage. Sasha Monique shone vocally as Nicki, bringing depth and likeability to the role that arguably surpasses the original. Her version of Saving All My Love, being particularly poignant.

The Bodyguard company - photo credit: Paul Coltas

Mireia Mambo may have taken a couple of songs to warm up, but once she had, she delivered the standout vocals of the night, reminding everyone why she was centre stage as the star of the show.

The transitions between sets were smooth, moving seamlessly from the sweeping curtains of Marron’s home to moments that felt like a “stage within a stage.” The perspective shift in the nightclub scene as well as some clever slow-motion moments were particularly effective. 

There were some genuinely unsettling moments within the stalker storyline, brought to life by an excellent performance from James Lee-Harris. Unfortunately, the jump scares often drew nervous laughter from the audience, which somewhat undercut the tension. However, Lee-Harris quickly regained control of the atmosphere, masterfully pulling the audience back into the moment.

The moment we’d all been waiting for, I Will Always Love You, was vocally outstanding, with Mambo reaching an incredible peak. The impact was slightly diminished by adding in a somewhat cheesy film montage. While it served to cover a quick costume change, it did pull me out of the emotional intensity of the finale for a moment. That said, the strength of Mambo’s performance snapped us back in, ensuring it still landed as a powerful and memorable ending.

Fans of the original film will enjoy hearing all the classic Whitney songs, as well as the energy the production brings. It’s a great night out, bolstered by some standout performances and plenty of nostalgia.

The Bodyguard continues at Norwich Theatre Royal until 27 June.