Tuesday February 21st 2017

Recently I had the chance to see the  Mirvish Production of “The Bodyguard The Musical”at Toronto’s “Ed Mirvish Theatre” .  I was looking forward in seeing this show especially since I was a big fan of the 1992 film “The Bodyguard” staring the late “Whitney Houston” and Academy award winner ‘Kevin Costner”.   I wanted to see if the stage show worked as well as the film, how the music would be used and of course how the star of the musical “Beverley Knight” would sing the classic Whitney Houston hits including  “The Greatest Love of All”, “How Will I Know”,”Run To You” and THE song “I Will Always Love You”.  here’s a little background on “Beverley Knight”, she’s a British recording artist and a musical theatre actress.  She took over the lead roll, “Rachel Marron”  in 2013.  Since the show debuted in 2012, “The Bodyguard The Musical” has made it’s mark in several countries including France, Australia,England,the US and now Canada.

The story is very similar to the film with a few changes(I won’t reveal  the changes, you’ll have to see what I’m talking about) but it’s still about a secret service agent turned bodyguard,  who is  hired to protect the biggest recording artist in the world from an unknown stalker and how their personal relationship develops.   Some of the other stars include “Stuart Reid” who plays the bodyguard   “Frank Farmer”,  “Rachel John” is “Nicki Marron”(Rachel Marron’s sister) and “Mathew Stathers” is the unknown “Stalker”.  Before I tell you what I thought of “Beverley Knight’s” performance, I’ll talk about the show and the other actors first.  The show itself is fast paced, never giving you a chance to be bored (the story still draws you in).  The sets are dazzling, the dance numbers, spectacular and the music,THE MUSIC  is like listening to “Whitney Houston’s Greatest Hits LIVE”.  As for the actors I liked “Stuart Reid”  playing “Frank Farmer” but at times I felt he could have loosed up a bit with his roll.  “Rachel John” who plays “Nicki Marron”(Rachel Marron’s sister) is a stand out it this show.  Her vocal talent is so good she could have easily been put into the lead roll. As for our mysterious “Stalker” “Matthew Stather” he’s exactly what you expect..weird.cunning and dangerous.

Now for “Beverley Knight” who had the biggest shows to fill.  It’s hard not to want to compare her to Whitney Houston.  If you do then you’ll be happy to know you won’t be disappointed.  She nails it, the roll, the dancing and most important the singing especially when she sings “I Will Always Love You”.  “The Bodyguard The Musical” is the kind of show that has a little bit of everything and a lot of great music….4 out of 5 stars.

“The Bodyguard The Musical” runs until April 9th. for ticket info go to mirvish.com or call 416-872 1212.