Rumour is that Nigel Farage sponsored the show for £5m

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This was my third visit to the show over the yeard, the two previously had featured Alexandra Burke in the starring role.

The billed star attraction was Sidonie Smith, but for this performance understudy Mireia Mambo filled the heels of Whitney Houston.

I have no problem with understudy performances, often they showcase considerable upcoming talent, invariably the performers give their role, and their chance, their all. Furthermore I have no idea who Sidonie Smith is, so did not feel I was missing out

Based on the 1992 Oscar-nominated film, which starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, The Bodyguard is a jukebox musical that features the music of pop legend Whitney Houston. The stage musical follows much the same plot as the cult classic film. However I was surprised  both at how much I had forgotten  from my previous vivits, and how much I noticed updates from the previous production

The Bodyguard is a rare jukebox musical with a  plot, ( book by Alexander Dinelaris based on the screenplay by Lawrence Kasden).  Director Thea Sharrock does a good job t putting the “thriller” aspect into this romantic thriller.

Adam Garcia excels in the eponymous role as Frank Farmer looking unnervingly like a Pierve Brosnan er James Bond. His naked torse scene brought gasps from the middle aged female audience as restorative vapours were invisibly seized.

Mireia Mambo takes on the Rachel Marron with the v energy needed to convincingly play a famous pop star. Unexpectedly the musical highlight of the evening was ” I’m Every Woman”, one of those magical moments when a supercharged live band and  the vocals entwined together and reached the skies.

 Adam Garcia’s comic vocal scene was funny and heartwarming.

Rachel’s sister, Nicki, is played by Sasha Monique, whose vocals sparkle frequewntly duetting with Mireia. The hits keep on coming ‘Queen of the Night’, ‘So Emotional’, ‘One Moment in Time’, ‘Saving All My Love’, ‘Run to You’, ‘I Have Nothing’ and ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’,  are all present and correct. “All the Man That I Need” , written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore and originally recorded by Linda Clifford in 1982 is earth shatteringly brilliant. The signaturet “I Will Always Love You” , performed on top of a podium is now a little hackneyed, the reprise at the end of  “I wanna Dance with somebody i” feels a bit mechanical- but the boogying female audience did not care.

The big musical numbers in The Bodyguard are performed concert style, complete with a cast of brilliant supporting dancers , Karen Bruce’s choreography is sharp the costumes  eye-catching and sparkly.

The Bodyguard is set in the 90s, and now on its fourth major UK tour in ten years. It hs probably run its course. Without the star quality of Alexandr Burke to carry it, the story, not the music, struggled. Burke is now starring as Chaka Khan in a new musical  which is where the charabanc will probably move to.  I will not be seeing this show again.