Photo Feature: Alexandra Burke & Tristan Gemmill celebrate The Bodyguard's media night

Last night (Wednesday 11th June 2014) the West End production of The Bodyguard celebrated Alexandra Burke joining the cast with a special media night performance. Check out pictures of Burke taking her final bow and celebrating after the show with her co-star Tristan Gemmill below (click on image to enlarge).

Click here to read West End Frame's review of last night's performance.

Three-time Brit nominee Alexandra Burke rose to fame after winning the fifth series of The X Factor. Her debut number one single Hallelujah sold over one million copies in the UK, a first for a British female soloist. Burke’s first album, Overcome saw the release of her subsequent number one singles Bad Boys and Start Without You. 

Review: Alexandra Burke stars in The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre

The Bodyguard 
Adelphi Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 11th June 2014

As The Bodyguard enters the final few months of its West End run, X Factor winner Alexandra Burke has taken over from soul queen Beverley Knight as Rachel Marron. The Bodyguard has really grown on me, when I first saw it in early 2013 I enjoyed the production but after several return visits it has become one of my favourite musicals in the West End.

Some may moan about film to stage adaptations and jukebox musicals, but The Bodyguard is a smooth and slick production which stands alone as a very strong piece of theatre in its own right. Fans of the 1992 Oscar nominated film will not be disappointed and those unfamiliar with the film wanting to see a big West End show are guaranteed to have a fantastic night out. 

The Bodyguard centres around American superstar Rachel Marron. Her team hire bodyguard Frank Farmer to protect the celebrity against an obsessive and potentially dangerous stalker. At first Rachel doesn't approve of Frank and his ideas but, after Rachel asks Frank on a date, the pair eventually find a way of working together…

Sneak peek at... Alexandra Burke in The Bodyguard

As Beverley Knight enters her final week of performances as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard, Alexandra Burke is preparing for her first performance on Monday 2nd June 2014. Take a sneak peek at the X Factor winner singing Queen Of The Night and stepping into her costumes for the first time below...

Burke will star opposite Tristan Gemmill who continues in the role of Rachel’s bodyguard, Frank Farmer. and Carole Stennett as Nicki Marron. The Bodyguard runs at the Adelphi Theatre until 30th August 2014. 

Three-time Brit nominee Alexandra Burke rose to fame after winning the fifth series of The X Factor. Her debut number one single Hallelujah sold over one million copies in the UK, a first for a British female soloist. Burke’s first album, Overcome saw the release of her subsequent number one singles Bad Boys and Start Without You. 

Photo Feature: The Bodyguard celebrates its first birthday

Last night (6th November), the West End production of The Bodyguard celebrated its first Birthday at the Adelphi Theatre. Take a look at pictures from the evening below (click on an image to enlarge).

At the end of the performance, Debbie Kurup, who has played Nicki Marron in the production since its world premiere in December 2012, asked the audience to join in celebrating this milestone as a specially commissioned birthday cake was brought out on to the stage. The cast, led by Beverley Knight and Tristan Gemmill treated the audience to their own rendition of Happy Birthday. After a standing ovation, the company then performed the finale song I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

Photo Feature: Beverley Knight celebrates a triumphant opening night in The Bodyguard

Last night (16th October) Beverley Knight and Tristan Gemmill celebrated their official opening night in The Bodyguard. The special performance was attended by celebrity guests and you can take a look at pictures of Beverley and her co-stars celebrating after the show below (click on an image to enlarge).

Read West End Frame's new review of the show by clicking here. Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film, Thea Sharrock’s production of The Bodyguard has book by Alex Dinelaris. December 2012 saw the world premiere of this production at the Adelphi Theatre, which is currently booking to 8th March 2014.

Photo Feature: Celebs support Beverley Knight's opening night in The Bodyguard

Last night the West End production of The Bodyguard hosted a Media Night to celebrate Beverley Knight and Tristan Gemmill joining the cast at the Adelphi Theatre. Celebrity guests included: Wretch 32, Nihal Arthanayake, Gemma Atkinson, Matt Cardle, Andrew Castle, Celena Cherry, Mel C, Brendan Cole, Camilla Dallerup, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Dan Gillespie-Sells, Richard Jones, Lesley Joseph, Deena Payne, Kathryn Rooney, Jack Ryder, Kevin Sacre, Emeli Sandé, Shingai Shoniwa and Joss Stone.

Take a look at pictures from the evening below (click on an image to enlarge). West End Frame's Editor, Andrew Tomlins, also attended. Read his review by clicking here. Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film, Thea Sharrock’s production of The Bodyguard has book by Alex Dinelaris. December 2012 saw the world premiere of this production at the Adelphi Theatre, which is currently booking to 8th March 2014.

Review: The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre

The Bodyguard

Adelphi Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 16th October 2013 

"Not another film being turned into a musical" and "not another jukebox musical" are two phrases I have heard a lot recently. But what I love about Thea Sharrock's smart production of The Bodyguard is that it is not simply the 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film on stage. It is a strong piece of theatre in its own right.

The Bodyguard is also not a show which just attempts to slot in some famous songs where possible. Whitney Houston's music is mostly performed in context, the lyrics are very apt and actually quite theatrical.

This was my second time seeing The Bodyguard (although first time reviewing the production) which opened in the West End late last year. I must admit that the show is now in much better shape, not only because of the musical's new leading lady, but because the whole spectacle seems far more slick and smooth.

Tim Hatley's big and bold design gives The Bodyguard a very cinematic feel. I'm not usually a fan of projections in theatre, but they are used well in this piece. Scenes change constantly as the action swiftly moves from location to location, it is rather impressive.

Photo Feature: Beverley Knight and Tristan Gemmill join The Bodyguard

New production images have been released featuring the new cast of The Bodyguard. Multi award-winning recording artist Beverley Knight has joined Thea Sharrock’s West End production as Rachel Marron, while Rachel’s bodyguard Frank Farmer is now played by Tristan Gemmill. Take a look at the pictures below (click on an image to enlarge).

Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film, Sharrock’s production of The Bodyguard has book by Alex Dinelaris. December 2012 saw the world premiere of this production at the Adelphi Theatre, where booking recently extended to 8th March 2014.

The production also stars Debbie Kurup (Nicki Marron), Richard Lloyd King (Bill Devaney), Stephen Marcus (Tony), Dominic Taylor (Sy Spector), Michael Rouse (Stalker) and Stuart Reid (Ray Court). Ensemble members are: Gareth Andrews, Kimball Armes, Christopher Birch, Hannah Fairclough, Robert Gill, Nicky Griffiths, Ben Harrold, Jamie Hughes-Ward, Alex Jackson, Genesis Lynea, Fergal McGoff, Sara Morley, Joelle Moses, David O’Mahoney, Stuart Rogers, Kyle Seeley, Danielle Steers, Katy Stredder and Christopher Terry. 

Big Interview: Tristan Gemmill, currently playing the title role in The Bodyguard

Tristan Gemmill recently joined the West End production of The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre as Frank Farmer. He stars alongside multi award-winning recording artist Beverley Knight as Rachel Marron.

Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film, Thea Sharrock’s production of The Bodyguard premiered in December 2012. 

Tristan is best known for playing Dr Adam Trueman in Casualty, a role he played for four years in the BBC’s long-running medical drama series. 

His theatre credits include: A Street Car Named Desire for Theatre Clwyd, Dangerous Corner for Chichester Festival Theatre, Design For Living for English Touring Theatre and Henry V for the Royal Shakespeare Company. 

Tristan's extensive television credits also include: London’s Burning, Distant Shores, Strictly Confidential and Cape Wrath. Tristan can be seen in the newly-released British independent film Flying Blind starring Helen McCrory and will be appearing again on the big screen later this year in the fantasy adventure film Mariah Mundi And The Midas Box with Michael Sheen and Sam Neill.

I recently spoke to Tristan following his first three weeks in The Bodyguard about what it’s like working with Beverley Knight, what it was like taking over the role from Lloyd Owen and his four years in Casualty...

You’ve finished your first three weeks in the show now, how’s it going so far?

Very well actually, I’m settling in nicely and we’ve been getting great responses from our audiences. We have a really fun time doing the show so, so far, so good!

Did it feel strange at all going from rehearsals to performing the show in front of an audience?

Yes and no. Obviously it was different performing in front of an audience for the first time. However, because the show was already up and running we’ve had a lot of access to the theatre during the day. A lot of the time we were actually rehearsing on the stage with the crew so it wasn’t a surprise a few days before we opened, as sometimes you rehearse in some room and then suddenly you move to the performance space just before you open. It was a great help!

Beverley Knight & Tristan Gemmill join The Bodyguard tonight

Beverley Knight

Multi award-winning recording artist Beverley Knight joins the West End cast of The Bodyguard tonight as Rachel Marron. Also joining the cast is Tristan Gemmill who takes on the role of Rachel’s bodyguard, Frank Farmer. 

Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film, Thea Sharrock’s production of The Bodyguard is currently booking at the Adelphi Theatre until 8th March 2014. 

Joining Beverley Knight and Tristan Gemmill is Debbie Kurup who continues in the role of Nicki Marron. They are joined by Richard Lloyd King (Bill Devaney), Stephen Marcus (Tony), Dominic Taylor (Sy Spector), Michael Rouse (Stalker) and Stuart Reid (Ray Court). 

Ensemble members include: Gareth Andrews, Kimball Armes, Christopher Birch, Hannah Fairclough, Robert Gill, Nicky Griffiths, Ben Harrold, Jamie Hughes-Ward, Alex Jackson, Genesis Lynea, Fergal McGoff, Sara Morley, Joelle Moses, David O’Mahoney, Stuart Rogers, Kyle Seeley, Danielle Steers, Katy Stredder and Christopher Terry. Elliot Aubrey, Mark Jones, Anton Joseph and Michael Matias will alternate the role of Fletcher, Rachel Marron’s young son.