The Bodyguard is a movie which became so embedded in popular culture, it’s almost impossible to separate from its star cast. The 1992 blockbuster cemented Kevin Costner as the stoic hero and Whitney Houston, in her first feature film, delivering one of the greatest soundtracks of all time to boot. This touring stage adaptation – previous versions of which visited the Wales Millennium Centre in 2015, 2019 and 2023 – confidently steps out of the film’s shadow, thanks largely to two compelling central performances.
Adam Garcia and Sidonie Smith take the lead roles: former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer, hired to protect global superstar Rachel Marron when she’s targeted by a stalker. Blending romance, thriller and musical, it’s a story that’s as much about trust and vulnerability as it is about spectacle.
Best known for his energetic dance routines and charismatic musical theatre performances, Garcia delivers an understated, measured performance as Farmer, portraying a man burdened by past failures and someone who reveals more through silence than conversation. His restrained approach works well, allowing the audience to understand Farmer’s internal conflict without the need for grand emotional speeches.
Smith has perhaps the tougher challenge, stepping into a role made famous by Whitney Houston. Yet she avoids imitation and creates her own Rachel Marron: fiercely independent, occasionally difficult and vulnerable beneath the celebrity façade. Her relationship with Farmer forms the emotional core of the production – beginning as a demanding superstar frustrated by the restrictions placed upon her, but as the threat against Marron’s life intensifies, the bravado gradually gives way to fear and uncertainty. Smith charts that transformation beautifully, with Garcia the reassuring constant she learns to trust, and their chemistry develops naturally, making the romance believable rather than forced.
The opening quickly establishes Farmer’s departure from the Secret Service before launching headlong into the electrifying Queen Of The Night, reminding us we’re watching a musical and a thriller. From there, the pace rarely lets up, with The Bodyguard’s director and choreographer ensuring the production never stands still. Slick scene changes, imaginative staging and dynamic choreography keep the action flowing seamlessly between concert arenas (these are particularly impressive, capturing the scale and excitement of an arena performance), dressing rooms and more intimate encounters.
The supporting cast are equally strong. Sasha Moniquedelivers one of the evening’s standout performances as Nicki, Marron’s sister and manager – with beautifully controlled vocals that complement Smith’s powerhouse voice. The ensemble work throughout is equally polished, creating convincing concert crowds, security teams and backstage chaos with precision and energy. The plot is slightly different from the film, but that doesn’t detract from the story.
Visually, the production balances storytelling and spectacle through clever lighting, strong sound design and inventive staging. Tension is created where required, before an effortless switch into concert mode, and the thriller element is handled effectively, with enough suspense to keep the audience invested beyond the songs.
Of course, for many people the music is the real star of The Bodyguard, and the show certainly delivers. Hearing Whitney hits from Queen Of The Night to Run To You and I Have Nothing – performed live underlines her extraordinary legacy, and I Will Always Love You – the moment everyone has been waiting for – brings the house to a standstill before the inevitable standing ovation. I Want To Dance With Somebody is the last song of the night, and needless to say it gets the whole theatre up dancing.
The Bodyguard, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tue 21 July
On until Sat 25 July. Tickets: £22-£85. Info: here
words ANTONIA LEVAY
