Theatre 101 – Beverley Knight And Tristan Gemmill To Join West End Cast Of The Bodyguard

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, where booking now extends to 8 March 2014 with the release of almost 235,000 new tickets for sale.

On joining the West End production Beverley Knight said: “I am so excited about playing Rachel Marron on stage in The Bodyguard.  To be making my West End theatre debut playing such an iconic role is both somewhat challenging and highly exhilarating and it will be nothing but a privilege to perform the best of Whitney Houston’s extraordinary catalogue each night on stage at the Adelphi Theatre.  After seeing the show as a member of the audience I thought how brilliant it would be to join such a fantastic company on stage as they performed one iconic song after another and I couldn’t be happier that this is now to become a reality.   I first heard Whitney’s music when she made her debut and exploded onto the scene with “Saving All My Love For You” when I was 13 years old. I have been mesmerised ever since.  To be working with a creative team led by director Thea Sharrock, designer Tim Hatley, orchestrator Chris Egan and musical supervisor Mike Dixon, as well as Tristan and all the cast and crew, is going to be really exciting. I can’t wait to begin!”

Tristan Gemmill added:  “It’s a real thrill for me to be returning to the West End in Thea Sharrock’s production of The Bodyguard. It’s going to be a huge challenge but one I can’t wait to get started on. Being responsible for protecting my co-star, the phenomenally talented Beverley Knight and to hear her performing Whitney Houston’s timeless classics each night, will be something very special and I’m very much looking forward to getting on board and starting rehearsals with this incredible company.”

Joining Beverley Knight and Tristan Gemmill will be Debbie Kurup continuing in the role of Nicki Marron.  They are also joined by 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.  The young actors who will alternate the role of Rachel Marron’s young son Fletcher will be announced shortly.

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love.  A romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a whole host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, I’m Your Baby Tonight, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and one of the greatest hit songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.

With designs by Tim Hatley, lighting by Mark Henderson, sound by Richard Brooker and video designs by Duncan McLean, choreography is by Arthur Pita, orchestrations by Chris Egan with musical supervision by Mike Dixon, The Bodyguard is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.

Queen of British Soul Beverley Knight is a singer, songwriter and record producer who has been one of the UK’s most consistent artists since the release of her debut album in 1995.   Having sold over a million albums in the UK, scoring several top 10’s and four gold certified albums as well as the platinum selling Voice: The Best Of Beverley Knight, her latest critically acclaimed album Soul UK, was a top 15 charting album upon its release in July 2011.  To date, she has won three MOBO Awards, an Outstanding Achievement Award at the Urban Music Awards, been three times nominated for Best Female at the Brit Awards and twice nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. Knight has presented four series of Radio 2 show Beverley’s Gospel Nights and appeared in two series of hit BBC1 show Just The Two Of Us as well as appearing on stage with the likes of Prince, Stevie Wonder and Take That.  Last summer, she wowed a viewing audience of one billion with a rendition of the song I Am What I Am at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.  Knight, who in 2007 was awarded an MBE for her services to music and charity, is currently working on her eighth studio album.

Tristan Gemmill is best known for playing Dr Adam Trueman in Casualty, a role he played in the BBC’s long-running medical drama series.  His extensive television credits also include London’s Burning, Distant Shores, Strictly Confidential and Cape Wrath.  His earlier theatre credits include A Street Car Named Desire for Theatre Clwyd, Dangerous Corner for Chichester Festival Theatre, Design For Living for English Touring Theatre andHenry V for the Royal Shakespeare Company.  Gemmill 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.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Dates now booking to 8 March 2014

Address Adelphi Theatre, Strand, London WC2

Box Office 0844 579 0094 (no booking fee)

Ticket prices £20 – £67.50 including £1 theatre restoration levy

No booking fee for tickets purchased directly from the Adelphi Theatre
Day seats A limited number of £25 day seats will go on sale from the Box Office at 10am on the day of the performance

Website thebodyguardmusical.com (no booking fee)