The Bodyguard – Sydney
Flames launch from the front of the stage, the curtain rises to reveal Rachel Marron (a dazzling Paulini), suspended on a platform above a stage full of dancers in glittering costumes. It’s Whitney Houston’s ‘Queen of the Night’ and this is The Bodyguard.
Rachel Marron is an internationally acclaimed film star and singer. She has a dedicated and large following of fans, including one unwanted admirer; a military trained, deranged stalker (Brendan Irving) who leaves her threatening letters and steals her costumes from backstage. Enter her new bodyguard Frank Farmer (a sincere Kip Gamblin), and although Rachel resists the new measures he takes at first, sparks start to fly between them.
When the music starts (under David Skelton’s vivacious musical direction), Paulini’s voice soars; she has an incredible range and exceptional belt, she is well suited to Whitney’s astonishing repertoire. Backed by an ensemble that exudes bucket-loads of energy and charisma, cheesiness abounds. And Karen Bruce’s sharp choreography embraces the no holds barred approach. It’s a jukebox musical that knows the best thing it has going for it is Whitney’s well-loved catalogue of songs, and it unashamedly embraces it by throwing everything it has into these moments of camp extravagance.
As the music fades, it’s clear what the glitz and glamour were trying to distract us from. Alexander Dinelaris’ book (an adaption of Lawrence Kasdan’s screenplay for the film) is packed full of clichés that are gratingly void of meaning, underdeveloped relationships revealing little truth about the characters, and a plot so formulaic every twist and turn can be seen coming from a mile away.
Thea Sharrock’s direction does the script little favours, bringing out all the cheesiness, and shying away from anything real. When life and death hangs in the balance, it would be pretty easy to make the stakes feel palpable, yet if anything the most high stake moments are, at best, laughable. The first close encounter Marron has with her stalker takes place in a club where we’re told things get out of control and consequently Frank has to carry Rachel out of the club in the iconic poster image of the show. Although pounding music and flashing lights are projected onto the slow motion vignettes of ‘violence’, the moment feels anything but tense. And at the conclusion of the show, in what should be the emotional climax- the most adored and heart-wrenching Whitney ballad (‘I Will Always Love You’) is delivered to no one in particular as the actor walks across the stage; it makes very little dramatic sense.
With ornate direction and an overworked script, the cast has a lot to work against to make us care about these characters. And unfortunately, across the board, this cast’s broad strokes approach leaves the characters feeling very one-dimensional.
Tim Hatley’s set smoothly transforms between Rachel’s mansion to various settings for the decadent musical numbers. And at various times throughout the show montages are projected onto a black screen that descends over the main action, and by that point it seems fittingly contrived.
What The Bodyguard lacks in emotionally nuanced storytelling or convincingly gripping stakes, it makes up for in sequins, high kicks and killer renditions of your favourite Whitney numbers. The Bodyguard is best enjoyed if you abandon your preconceptions about what a musical should look or feel like, and with a drink (or two) in hand.
I recently went to see the Bodyguard and was disappointed, Paulini and Prinnie both have fabulous voices!! But, that is where it ended, I did not feel the storyline was true to the movie. Also, whoever is in charge of Paulini’s wardrobe should be moved on, underwear popping up over the black jeans is not a good look or what I presume was spanx regularly showing below the hemline also not a good look.
I agree with the previous comment. Unfortunately the wardrobe hair & make-up – even set dressing let down this production a lot. The most iconic memories of bodyguard was Whitney’s beauty & grace & the elaborate expensive clothing she wore when she performed. The Silver outfit was replaced with a poorly fitting silver bodice & black jeans that were not flattering, followed by numerous short dresses that made poor Paulini look more like Tina Turner than Whitney. The dresses on the back up dancers were more flattering & Paulini’s character should be the centre of attention with the most impressive outfits at all times. the numerous tattoos displayed all over her body also took away from the character as Whitney didn’t have any tattoos at all. Especially the large one that went right down her right leg which could have been covered up by coloured stockings or a nice long gown. The best outfits were left till the very end but were too little too late & a fun dance scene that was added onto the end of the performance once the story ended although uplifting, still seemed really out of place.
I was in box seats at the front of the stage so I could see everything clearly right down to the scratchy stage floor. By the way – they should put a warning on those seats before you buy them because someone with a heart condition shouldn’t sit there – the speakers were right beside us & way too loud – we jumped numerous times, especially when they started the whole production un-expectantly with a gunshot. The kid singing and dancing was a little off putting as it took focus from the main character singing the iconic numbers & felt a little cheap. He was cute but a little out of place on the front of the stage dancing during a main number.
Apart from these things we enjoyed a really good afternoon at the theatre. The acting. singing & dancing were really good from all of the cast. A lot of the iconic songs from the movie were covered well. I didn’t even realise that Prinnie played the sister until now but she was just as fantastic as Paulini – they make a great team. The lead male who plays ‘Farmer’ was really good – hunky too – aswell as the topless male backup dancers – they were my favourite! 🙂
Paulini doesn’t have tattoos. You didn’t see Paulini, you saw Emily, the alternate Rachel Marron. Get your facts straight before you start dissing something.
Feeling ripped off! I just realized the girl with tattoos that we saw was not Paulini! It was some girl named Emily! No wonder she didn’t look right. We went to see Paulini! Booked ahead for Sydney tickets too – refund please!
omg this is even worse. I cry
Get over yourselves! This was a brilliant show in it’s own right. Full audience standing ovation at the end of the show and then again at the end of the curtain calls. One of the best musicals I have seen in years. I felt the emotional connection was powerful all the way through. Many tears were shed, and there was lots of laughter also, we came away extremely elated and moved. hats off the cast, direction and orchestra!