The Bodyguard musical has already had an exciting year: in September soul queen Beverley Knight joined the production as Rachel Marron to rave reviews alongside Tristan Gemmill as Frank Farmer.
In October a special gala performance welcomed the new cast and was attended by many VIP Guests including Matt Cardle, Mel C, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Emeli Sandé and Joss Stone. Earlier this month the musical celebrated its first birthday at the Adelphi Theatre. To celebrate, at the end of the performance Debbie Kurup, who has played Nicki Marron in the production since its world premiere in December 2012, asked the audience to join in celebrating this milestone as a specially commissioned birthday cake was brought out on to the stage. The cast then treated the audience to their own rendition of Happy Birthday.
Thea Sharrock’s hit West End production of The Bodyguard is based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. Film. It is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.
As well as Beverley Knight (Rachel Marron), Tristan Gemmill (Frank Farmer) and Debbie Kurup (Nicki Marron), the current cast features: Richard Lloyd King (Bill Devaney), Stephen Marcus (Tony), Dominic Taylor (Sy Spector), Michael Rouse (Stalker) and Stuart Reid (Ray Court). Ensemble members are Gareth Andrews, Kimball Armes, Christopher Birch, Hannah Fairclough, Robert Gill, Nicky Griffiths, Ben Harrold, Jamie Hughes-Ward, Alex Jackson, Genesis Lynea, Fergal McGoff, Sara Morley, Joelle Moses, David O’Mahoney, Stuart Rogers, Kyle Seeley, Danielle Steers, Katy Stredder and Christopher Terry. Elliot Aubrey, Mark Jones, Anton Joseph and Michael Matias alternate the role of Fletcher, Rachel Marron’s young son.
‘Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a whole host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, I’m Your Baby Tonight, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and one of the greatest hit songs of all time - I Will Always Love You.’
Andrew Tomlins