If you’re planning to see The Bodyguard: The Musical at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre, it’s best to leave the film at the door. Prepare yourself instead for a nostalgic Whitney Houston tribute show peppered liberally with flashy sequins, feathers and fun. On Opening Night, Houston’s songs had even the most precious of A-listers bouncing along in their seats singing along word-for-word to Houston’s iconic hits.
The story, for those who haven’t seen the 1992 film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, is a rather predictable yarn of love and lust developing between the exuberant and coddled pop queen Rachel Marron (Paulini) and the mysterious, stoic bodyguard Frank Farmer (Kip Gamblin) hired to protect her from a crazed homicidal stalker (Brendan Irving). Macho Frank sees his stubborn charge as a spoilt indulged brat, while Rachel views him as nothing more than a paranoid party pooper. Clearly a perfect start to a hot romance, but one which accelerates so hurriedly from hatred to the bedroom, we’re left more bemused than intrigued.
With more time given to the music than the storyline, this romantic thriller, already thin on plot, doesn’t translate well to stage. Puzzling moments, not followed up, drop us carelessly into a mysterious abyss, while Crazed Stalker’s supposedly scary moments as he carefully cuts and pastes creepy notes, or menacingly clutches his weapon of choice, exposed in video or under spotlight, are so over dramatic they trigger more giggles than gasps.
Paulini, in her theatrical debut, performs admirably, but we all know it’s the singing that counts. Adequately armed with her five-octave range, and a mammoth 14 Houston hits to belt out including Queen of the Nights, Greatest Love of All, I Have Nothing and I’m Every Woman, Paulini doesn’t disappoint. And you can almost hear the collective sigh of relief when she finally gets to and smashes the flagship song I Will Always Love You. Prinnie Stevens is also impressive in an expanded role as sister Nicki Marron, offering a romantic twist in Saving All My Love for You.
Gamblin, unfortunately, doesn’t transition so well from his television role in Neighbours to the stage. Granted, he has the granite jaw-clenching, stoic and broody persona down pat, but there’s a fine line between being detached and wooden. He does engage delightfully however when he’s called upon to sing Karaoke, a more relaxed Gamblin having some fun is clearly more his style.
If you take The Bodyguard: The Musical for what it is, a glossy screen-to-stage adaptation with more gloss than substance, you’ll have a rollicking good time. Sit back, be dazzled by the dancers and great vocals and there’s no doubt by the end you’ll wanna dance with somebody.
The Bodyguard: The Musical is playing at Sydney Lyric Theatre in Pyrmont until June 25. For tickets, head to www.sydneylyric.com.au
Want more from Wendy? Check out at wendysworld.com.au
