The Bodyguard at Adelphi Theatre

Although Sweeney Todd has just opened to rave reviews at the Adelphi Theatre London a brand new musical is lined up in the wings ready to start performances from November 6th. The Bodyguard Musical will receive its world premiere at the theatre later this year where it will open for previews from 6 November, with press night scheduled for early December. Rumours about the show have been circulating for months, but after singer Whitney Houston’s death earlier this year the rumours became finalised as producer David Ian stepped up to confirm that the project was going ahead. The musical is based on the hit film of the same name, which starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner in a romantic tale of a music superstar Rachel Marron falling in love with her bodyguard Frank Farmer. The film’s soundtrack became as successful as the film, making ‘I Will Always Love You’ an instant classic. The film used a number of other Houston songs such as ‘Run to You’ and ‘I Have Nothing’ which will also star in the musical adaptation. The production will be directed by Thea Sharrock and will star Broadway legend Heather Headley in the role of Rachel Marron. X Factor winner Alexandra Burke and contestant Mischa B were rumoured to be involved with the production, but Headley’s experience and motivation clinched her the part. Having starred in a number of musicals, she shot to fame winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in the Disney and Elton John musical ‘Aida’ in 2000. Since then she has played Nala in ‘The Lion King’ and starred in a number of high profile musical concerts. The musical is billed as ‘a romantic thriller’ and is expected to follow closely to the plot of the movie. The score will include a host of Houston’s famous songs including ‘Queen of the Night’, ‘One Moment in Time’, ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ and the immortal ‘I Will Always Love You’. Headley will be joined in the production by Lloyd Owen who is set to play bodyguard Frank Farmer. No further casting details have been revealed, but the book has been written by Alex Dinelaris from the screenplay and the show will be designed by Tim Hatley. Many have accused producers of ‘cashing in’ on the death of Whitney Houston, but David Ian and Michael Harrison are both keen to stress that this project has been in the works for a number of years. With the West End already saturated with screen-to-stage musicals such as ‘Ghost’, ‘Shrek’ and ‘Legally Blonde’ only time will tell if ‘The Bodyguard’ will be a roaring success.