The Bodyguard The Musical – The New Theatre, Oxford
⭐️⭐️⭐️3 stars
6th October 2026
“Hugely enjoyable show”
This musical is based on the 1992 Whitney Houston/Kevin Costner film of The Bodyguard. The current tour stars Sidonie Smith in Houston’s career highlight as fictional pop and film star Rachel Marron. Joining her onstage is Adam Garcia as Frank Farmer.
With a powerful voice Smith belts out Houston’s hits. She is particularly good alongside sister Nicki in ‘I have nothing’ and ‘Jesus loves me’ as well as ‘I will always love you’. The Whitney back catalogue is great to hear. Musical Director Charlie Ingles does a great job with so many hits.
Special mention should also go to creepy James-Lee Harris as Rachel’s very creepy stalker, and Sasha Monique as Nicki Marron, Rachel’s sister, as well as a wonderfully talented 10-year-old Prince Conteh in the role of Fletcher, her son. In her duets with Sidonie, Sasha more than holds her own.
Garcia is very good. It’s just a shame we don’t get to see him sing and dance. Or not sing properly anyway – aside from a funny karaoke scene!
The production includes imaginative staging and a great ensemble cast. It was a hugely enjoyable night out, even with the odd jumpy moment! All rounded off with a Whitney megamix at the end!
For me, the show possibly lacked a little chemistry. But it was nonetheless enjoyable.
The New Theatre has had a bit of a refresh over the summer, with better bar facilities, and nicer flowing and lighting in the Foyer. It is always lovely to visit our local large theatre and concert venue!
Remember they now have a wider range of hospitality packages to suit all pockets including the lounge and also the Director’s Box, to make your visit even more special.
Ruth Hawkins
More in Leisure
Spring and summer in bloom at Blenheim Palace for groups
Group visitors to Blenheim Palace in 2026 can look forward to a spring and summer full of horticultural highlights, as extensive planting schemes and new garden features bring fresh colour, texture, and experience across the Park and Gardens. This spring, the Secret Garden will be one of the first areas to burst into life, with […]
Oxford City FC under new ownership
There are exciting times ahead at Oxford City FC with new owners at the MGroup Stadium looking to accelerate the progress that the club has made over the last few years.
Welcome to B4: Oxfordshire Cricket
We’re delighted to welcome Oxfordshire Cricket to the B4 community and found out more about Alex Mitchell, Director of Development & Commercial Partnership.
From this author
What a show! This is an unmissable show for this Festive...
This year’s Oxford New Theatre Christmas season show is Miss Saigon, from the team behind Les Miserables. Michael Harrison in association with Cameron Mackintosh, is touring a fresh production of Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schoenberg’s Miss Saigon. Review by Ruth Hawkins for B4.
It’s all so very Greek! Mamma Mia hits Oxford’s New Theatre.
My first experience of Mamma Mia was watching the first film on a ferry back from France. I remember being enthralled by the energy of the film and the music. It’s a skill to create something which is universally enjoyable and, dare I say it, but the stage show does this in buckets. It is even better than the film! Review by Imogen Skipper.
Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP Celebrate Double Top-Tier Recognition in Leading...
Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP (BH&O) has once again been recognised as one of the region’s leading family law firms, achieving top-tier rankings in both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners 2026 Guides — a remarkable achievement for a firm that has just celebrated its seventh anniversary.