Things were 'so emotional' at the Liverpool Empire with the audience dancing, singing, and enjoying every single second of the smash-hit show The Bodyguard.
Based on Lawrence Kasdan's 1992 Oscar nominated film of the same name which starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, The Bodyguard is a romantic thriller that sees Secret Service agent turned bodyguard Frank Farmer hired to protect global superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker.
The stubborn duo initially come to blows, with each vying for control, before they come to see one another more clearly, and ultimately fall in love.
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The award-winning musical has taken the world by storm, playing to more than 3.6 million people in 15 countries and 45 US cities. This production, part of the UK and Ireland tour, sees Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star Ayden Callaghan in the role of Frank, with Grammy-nominated former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton in the role of Rachel.
The leads have a palpable chemistry and are entirely convincing in their parts, with Callaghan bringing a humorous stiffness to Frank that slowly softens the closer he gets to Thornton's Rachel. The pop star nails Rachel's icy defensiveness and 'diva'-like tendencies, but still instils her with a raw and relatable vulnerability.
Though an established performer with powerhouse vocals, it did feel like Thornton was holding back in the musical numbers in the first half of the show and was, at times, a little underwhelming. She seemed to come to life in the second act, and hit every note of the legendary and hotly anticipated 'I Will Always Love You' in a performance that was perfectly pitched and expertly delivered.
A special mention must go to Emily-Mae, who plays Rachel's sister, Nicki Marron. Emily-Mae's vocals were incredible and she was able to make Nicki's jealousy and resentment believable, without making her seem bitter or unlikeable. I'm sure leading roles are very much in her future.
There are a number of moments in the show not for the faint of heart, with the opening kicking off with a loud faux gunshot which startled the entire auditorium and brought about a ripple of nervous laughter.
There's bright lights and even pyrotechnics, with elements of the show constructed to mimic a genuine music gig which was, at some points, dazzling and electric. The skilled production team has clearly worked hard to bring a sense of Hollywood to the boards of the Liverpool Empire, with elaborate sets and vibrant lighting design.
Alongside the tension, intrigue and thrills on stage, there was a little commotion in the auditorium before the interval which temporarily stopped the performance. One audience member needed medical attention, with a large group managing to garner the attention of staff.
The house lights came up and the show was paused for around five minutes, with the cast leaving the stage. It was handled promptly and professionally - the cast returned and seamlessly continued the scene, managing to bring the audience back into the world of Rachel and Frank.
The Bodyguard is a fun, entertaining and an easy show to get lost in, with an incredible soundtrack featuring a range of classics including 'Queen of the Night', 'So Emotional', 'One Moment in Time', 'Saving All My Love', 'Run to You', 'I Have Nothing', 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' and, of course, 'I Will Always Love You'. It's easy to see why so many people have been enraptured by it across the globe.
The Bodyguard is on at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre until Saturday, March 25. You can book tickets here.
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