Theatre Review: The Bodyguard at The Bristol Hippodrome

The Show: The Bodyguard

Dates: Tuesday 11th August – Saturday 15th August 2026

Timing : 2 hours 20 minutes (including interval)

Rating: ★★★★★

The Bodyguard arrived at the Bristol Hippodrome with an opening that certainly got the audience’s attention – quite literally. The show started with a bang, as the sound of a gunshot immediately created a sense of tension and anticipation, setting the tone for the story that was about to unfold. From there, the production settled into a compelling mix of drama, romance, suspense and, of course, some of Whitney Houston’s most iconic songs.

One of the biggest highlights of the evening was undoubtedly the vocals. Mireia Mambo, as Rachel Marron, delivered a truly impressive vocal performance, capturing the power and emotion needed to take on Whitney Houston’s iconic soundtrack. Adam Garcia, as Frank Farmer, provided a strong counterpart, bringing a convincing sense of authority and intensity to the role. Their performances, alongside the wider cast, were perfectly complemented by an outstanding live orchestra. What worked particularly well was the balance between the two; the orchestra created a huge, dramatic sound without overpowering the singers, meaning the lyrics remained clear and easy to follow. This gave the musical numbers a real sense of impact, particularly during the more powerful Whitney Houston songs, where the combination of exceptional vocals and live instrumentation created some genuinely memorable moments.

I also really enjoyed the stage design. While relatively simple, the clever use of curtains created a strong sense of division between locations and scenes, allowing the set to transform seamlessly while keeping the audience immersed in the story. Rather than relying on an elaborate physical set, the production uses these changes effectively to establish different environments and moods. The projections were another particularly effective touch, adding another layer to the storytelling and helping to move the narrative forward without distracting from the action on stage.

The cast did a fantastic job of bringing their characters to life, with each actor fully committing to their roles and drawing the audience into the story. Mambo and Garcia particularly succeeded in making their characters feel believable, helping to carry the audience through the more dramatic and emotional moments of the story. The performances successfully balanced the suspense of the plot with the lighter, more entertaining moments, making for an engaging production throughout.

The soundtrack is, naturally, one of the main attractions, and there was plenty for Whitney Houston fans to enjoy. The production makes good use of both the upbeat classics and the slower, more emotional songs, creating a nice variation in pace throughout the evening. The more dramatic ballads allowed the vocals to take centre stage, while the bigger numbers brought a real sense of energy to the theatre. The finale was a particular highlight, ending the evening on a feel-good note that left the audience with plenty to smile about.

Overall, The Bodyguard is an entertaining and visually effective production that successfully brings Whitney Houston’s iconic music to the stage. With outstanding vocals, a brilliant orchestra, clever staging and a story that keeps you engaged, it makes for a thoroughly enjoyable night at the theatre. And with that opening gunshot quite literally grabbing everyone’s attention, the production certainly knows how to make an entrance.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see this incredible show, head to www.atgtickets.com to book tickets and explore what’s on.

For those wanting an extra special evening out, you can book your early dinner at The Square Club, before heading down Park Street for your evening at the theatre. Guests who are headed to the theatre may also indulge in a complimentary cocktail with their meal as part of The Square Club’s pre-theatre dining offer.

Need to stay the night? The Berkeley Suites offer the ultimate luxury night away, having recently won the Conde-Naste award of excellence.