From the moment the opening gunshots rang out across the Donald Gordon Theatre, we knew we were in for quite the evening. The Bodyguard, which is at the Wales Millennium Centre opened with a bang before launching straight into a spectacular performance of Queen of the Night.
For those familiar with the Oscar-nominated 1992 film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, you’ll already know the story. A young singer and a new bodyguard brought in to overhaul security and protect the star. What begins as a less-than-easy working relationship between Frank Farmer and the famously unimpressed Ms Marron soon develops into romance, with Frank ultimately forced to break his own rule of ‘never get too close’ in order to protect not just Rachel, but her young son Fletcher too.
It was an electrifying way to begin the show and immediately had the audience hooked.
Taking on the iconic role of Rachel Marron was Mireia Mambo (this was for the Monday 20th performance), quite honestly, we couldn’t have asked for more. Stepping into a role made famous by Whitney Houston is no easy task, but Mambo absolutely makes it her own. Her vocals are nothing short of incredible and on more than one occasion she left us with goosebumps. There were moments where we found ourselves thinking she could genuinely give Whitney Houston a run for her money.
Adam Garcia is perfectly cast as former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer. He brings a quiet confidence and calm authority to the role, while also allowing Frank’s softer side to emerge as the story unfolds. We particularly loved the subtle costume changes throughout the show. Frank starts off in sharp, professional suits but, as he becomes more comfortable around Rachel, we gradually see him dressed in jeans, a leather jacket and even cosy clothes during their stay at his family’s cabin. It’s a simple detail, but one that really helps tell the story.
While Rachel may be the superstar, we couldn’t help but feel incredibly sorry for her older sister, Nicki Marron, played brilliantly by Sasha Monique. It’s clear Nicki has spent much of her life living in Rachel’s shadow and Monique portrays that emotional conflict beautifully.
As Nicki begins to develop feelings for Frank, especially after he unexpectedly turns up at the nightclub where she performs, it once again feels like Rachel has unintentionally taken something else from her, not just the spotlight but perhaps the man she was beginning to fall for. When Nicki sings All At Once, it is particularly poignant and Monique delivers the number with such raw emotion that it becomes one of the most affecting moments of the evening. Later, when we discover Nicki had responded to one of the stalker’s letters herself, a decision that ultimately costs her life, it makes her story all the more heartbreaking.
Monique is outstanding throughout and deserves just as much praise as her on-stage sister. Although Nicki often finds herself overshadowed by Rachel within the story, Monique’s powerful vocals ensure she certainly isn’t overshadowed by anyone on stage.
The supporting cast all play their part in making this such a strong production, with each character helping to build the tension and emotion throughout the story.
Matt Milburn is excellent as Rachel’s publicist, Sy Spector, bringing both humour and exasperation as he tries to balance the demands of an international superstar with the growing concerns for her safety.
John Macaulay brings warmth and quiet authority to Bill Devaney, while Johnathan Alden is convincing as head of security Tony Scibelli, highlighting the increasing pressure on Rachel’s security team as the threat escalates.
Ryan Bennett also impresses as Ray Court, Frank’s former mentor and fellow bodyguard, whose arrival helps reinforce just how serious the situation has become. Together, the supporting cast help bring depth to the production and ensure the story never loses its pace.
James-Lee Harris delivers a genuinely unsettling performance as the obsessive stalker. Without giving too much away, he keeps the tension simmering throughout and has the audience constantly wondering what will happen next.
Of course, no production of The Bodyguard would be complete without the smash-hit soundtrack, and this one delivers in style. Alongside Queen of the Night, the show gives us all the big moments we were hoping for, including I Have Nothing, Run to You, I’m Every Woman and the unforgettable I Will Always Love You. Each number lands exactly as it should, with the audience clearly loving every second.
Our favourite scene of the entire evening had to be the karaoke bar. After so much tension and suspense, it was lovely to see the characters let their guard down and simply have fun. It also gave the audience a chance to laugh, something we hadn’t realised we’d been waiting for. It was a brilliant reminder that, underneath all the danger, there is also a touching love story at the heart of the production.
A special mention has to go to Rachel’s young son Fletcher, played at our performance by Phoenix Beharry. He was absolutely adorable and had the audience smiling every time he appeared on stage. By the time the cast returned for the curtain call, he had completely stolen the show.
Visually, the production is stunning. The costumes throughout are fantastic and perfectly capture Rachel’s superstar lifestyle. The standout outfit of the evening, however, has to be the breathtaking gown she wears during the finale. It is absolutely beautiful and provides a fitting climax to the concert-style ending.
The ensemble also deserves huge credit. The backing singers and dancers bring incredible energy to every performance and help transform Rachel’s concerts into something that genuinely feels arena-worthy. Combined with the slick choreography and seamless scene changes, the production rarely slows down.
We also really enjoyed how the lighting and sound changed between the dramatic scenes and Rachel’s live performances. It helped blur the line between musical theatre and live concert, making us feel like we were watching both at the same time.
Our only slight criticism was that, on a handful of occasions, the stage lighting became incredibly bright. There were moments where we genuinely found ourselves having to shield our eyes, although thankfully these were few and far between and certainly didn’t spoil our enjoyment of the evening.
As the final songs began, the theatre transformed into a full-blown concert. Before long, audience members were on their feet, singing, dancing and clapping along with the cast. It created a fantastic atmosphere and, by the final curtain, the standing ovation felt completely deserved.
From the opening gunshots to the final standing ovation, The Bodyguard had us hooked. It strikes the perfect balance between suspense, romance, humour and spectacular musical numbers. We laughed, we gasped, we sang along and we left with those iconic songs still stuck in our heads.
Whether you’re a fan of the original film, a lover of Whitney Houston’s music or simply looking for a brilliant night out, we genuinely don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
The Bodyguard is at the Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, from Monday 20 July until Saturday 25 July 2026.
Don’t miss your chance to catch this fantastic production while it’s in Cardiff. For tickets and the latest availability, visit the WMC website.
