Sidonie Smith Archives - North West End UK

17Feb

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

The Bodyguard – New Wimbledon Theatre

This romantic thriller, adapted from the 1992 film of the same name starring Whitney Houston, returns to the stage this year, reviving her iconic music for a new audience. It follows former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer (Adam Garcia), hired to protect global superstar Rachel Marron (Sidonie Smith) from a dangerous threat. While the pair anticipate a clash of personalities, neither expects their professional relationship to give way to an unexpected and compelling romance. This show is bursting with energy from the start, a loud bang jolting the audience straight to attention at the beginning. The jump scares do not cease, and they present themselves at later points in the show, which work well, particularly when the threat is introduced to us as an obsessed stalker (James-Lee Ha...

12Feb

By NewsdeskNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Bodyguard – Sheffield Lyceum

The Bodyguard has become a staple of the West End since its debut in 2013. It has resonated with and entertained audiences internationally. This particular production, however, sadly gives pause. There are some impressive design features throughout this show, more so in Tim Hatley’s set design and in particular the thriller aspects are particularly strong and excitingly creative. James-Lee Harris’ character of the stalker, for example, appears in a flash of lightning at a door we have stared at continuously, never once recognising their presence until that jump-scare moment. It’s exhilarating. Protagonist Rachel Marron’s residence feels swanky and full of scope, choosing to obscure part of the stage with long, impressive curtains. It’s visually interesting and simultaneously pragm...

20Jan

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

The Bodyguard – Palace Theatre

The Bodyguard returns to the Palace Theatre Manchester under the direction of Thea Sharrock, bringing with it all the high-stakes drama and musical spectacle audiences have come to expect from this stage adaptation of the Warner Bros. film. With a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and a stage book by Alexander Dinelaris, charged with delivering drama, romance, and some musical theatre’s most challenging songs, the production faces inevitable comparison to its celebrated origin. The story centres on Rachel Marron, an internationally adored singer whose fame places her in serious danger. When anonymous threats escalate, former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer is brought in to protect her. Initially resistant to the intrusion, Rachel clashes with Frank’s rigid professionalism, yet as the thre...

The Bodyguard – Winter Gardens, Blackpool

6Oct

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

The Bodyguard – Winter Gardens, Blackpool

An enjoyable evening at Winter Gardens, Blackpool. A very talented cast led by Sidonie Smith (Chicago, Sister Act) as the central character, vocal superstar Rachel Marron. Alongside her bodyguard, Frank Farmer, the role made famous in the movie version by Kevin Costner, this evening played by Olivier award nominated Adam Garcia (Wicked, Coyote Ugly) a man with a wealth of industry experience If anything slightly disappointing that we didn’t get to enjoy his amazing vocal, or highly skilled tap dancing. The musical based on the very popular movie starring Whitney Houston, back in the Early 90s, featuring an outstanding Musical score of power ballads and crowd pleasers. The story closely follows that of the movie, but in parts is lacking in certain elements of the storyline, I don’t...