Fans of Whitney Houston and her huge power-ballads will adore The Bodyguard: The Musical.

A classic tale of a love that can never be, The Bodyguard has been delighting audiences for decades (the film first graced our screens in 1992) and there can be few who do not know the story, but this stage musical version provides moments of magic which bring a new dynamic to the well-worn plot.

The Bodyguard must have one of the most attention-grabbing openings of any show (no spoilers!). This is quickly followed by a wonderfully energetic dance routine to Queen Of The Night, surely one of the stand-out points of the evening. From there, the scene is set for a whirlwind of music and dynamic choreography, interspersed with moments of reflection and high drama as the plot unfurls. The storyline is undoubtedly patchy at times, but that doesn’t matter; The Bodyguard is a vehicle for some of the best-loved tunes in pop history.

It is the songs that are the stars, of course. All the Whitney favourites are there: One Moment In Time, Saving All My Love, How Will I Know?, Run To You… the list goes on and on. And these classics are performed by the all-star cast with the level of passion and drama that they deserve.

As Rachel Marron, Sidonie Smith is centre-stage in her sequinned dresses, as befits a true star. Adam Garcia brings the requisite amount of gravitas to the role of the bodyguard, Frank Farmer; at once both conscious of his duty to protect but unable to prevent his emotions interfering with his role. Sasha Monique plays Nicki Marron, whose talents go unnoticed as she lives in the shadow of her glamorous, successful sister. All three give strong performances and carry the (sometimes thin) story with charm and confidence.

As is fitting for a hit West End show, the evening finishes on a high, with a whole-cast full-on performance of I Wanna Dance With Somebody. This was the audience’s chance to dance and sing along, and they didn’t hold back!

The Bodyguard: The Musical is a fun spectacle, lively and highly enjoyable. Its success is no mystery; though the songs are more than 30 years old, this show is proof that the classics never fade.

Four stars

The Bodyguard: The Musical was reviewed by Rachel Smith on Tuesday 23 September at Birmingham’s The Alexandra, where it shows until this Saturday 27 September.