The Bodyguard – Edinburgh Playhouse

I must admit I went into this musical differently to most people around me because, somehow, I’ve never actually seen the film. Which almost felt embarrassing once the audience started reacting to certain moments with anticipation usually reserved for cult classics. Still, there was something nice about experiencing the story without constantly comparing it to the film version. It meant I could just take the show as it was: glossy, dramatic, a little ridiculous at times, but undeniably entertaining.

The production wastes no time throwing you into the spectacle of it all. One minute Edinburgh’s Playhouse is settling, the next there’s a gunshot and suddenly we’re in full concert territory with pyrotechnics, dancers and Queen of the Night blasting through the theatre. It sets the tone immediately. This is not a restrained or subtle musical, and thankfully it never pretends to be.

The plot itself is fairly straightforward. Rachel Marron, a global superstar, is being stalked, and former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer is brought in to protect her. Naturally, they clash almost instantly. She’s stubborn and used to being in control, he’s emotionally closed off and intensely rigid. You can see exactly where it’s heading within minutes, but that’s part of the appeal. The show knows people are there for the chemistry, the tension and, more than anything, the music.

What surprised me most was how much I ended up caring about Nicki, Rachel’s sister. In a lot of ways, she feels like the emotional core of the production. There’s something sad about living permanently in someone else’s shadow, and the show handles that dynamic better than I expected. Some of the quieter scenes between the sisters had more emotional weight than the central romance, which occasionally struggles because the pacing moves so quickly. The production rarely pauses for long before launching into another number or dramatic plot twist.

Vocally, it’s a difficult show to judge fairly because the shadow of Whitney Houston hangs over every single song. No one is ever going to sound exactly like Whitney, nor should they try to. Instead, this cast focuses more on capturing the emotion and scale of the music, and for the most part it works. The second act especially felt much stronger vocally, with several moments that properly lifted the audience.

The choreography and staging are probably the production’s biggest strengths. The concert scenes are huge fun, full of energy and confidence, and the ensemble absolutely throws themselves into every number. There are definitely moments where the show tips into cheesiness, and some of the projections and dramatic reveals feel slightly dated, but it’s oddly endearing rather than distracting. The Bodyguard doesn’t really aim for nuance. It aims to give people a big, emotional night out built around some of the most recognisable songs ever written, and on that level it absolutely delivers. Even as someone with no attachment to the film, I left understanding exactly why people love it so much!

Reviewer: Nazaret Ranea

Reviewed: 18th May 2026

North West End UK Rating: