Whitney Houston, one of the music industry's most outstanding performers, singing 'I Will Always Love You' in the 1992 film The Bodyguard is often regarded as one of the star's and cinema's most iconic moments.

So it is no surprise that the film, also starring Kevin Costner, is the latest cinematic offering to be turned into a stage musical, which is now touring the UK, including a week of shows at the Bristol Hippodrome. 

Houston's shoes take some filling and picking up the starring role of Rachel Marron is ex-Pussy Cat Doll member Melody Thornton, who is more than up for the task. This is good because Thornton has the responsibility of doing almost all the heavy lifting when it comes to performing Houston's expansive back catalogue full of bangers. 

Sharing the load slightly is Emily-Mae as Nicki Marron, who truly excels as the lovestruck and then broken-hearted sister and very well could have taken on the lead role as her voice really was that good!

With these two ladies at the centre of almost all the musical numbers, The Bodyguard was already on to a winner - but then you add a spirited and confident performance from young Kaylen Luke as Rachel's son Fletcher, a suave turn from Ayden Callaghan's Frank Farmer and Marios Nicolaides as one of the more menacing villains I've seen on stage in a while and you end up with a very good time. 

Swindon Advertiser: Melody Thornton as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard musicalMelody Thornton as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard musical (Image: Paul Coltas)

There are some moments of genuine tension - the show opens with a loud and disconcerting hail of bullets, immediately grabbing the attention, and the lakehouse scene had almost everyone jumping out of their seats. 

The emotion was there too - Callaghan and Thornton had believable chemistry as the couple at the centre of the story and the bitter-sweet finale with the iconic song was certainly rousing. 

The impact of this emotional moment was almost immediately undercut though, with the show opting for a 'send the crowd home happy' singalong at the end. Although this decision was certainly worth it to see a packed Bristol Hippodrome become positively unglued. Everyone was swept away by the moment, on their feet, singing, dancing and clapping along. 

The film, Houston's music, and their timelessness, certainly lend themselves to the stage exceptionally well and the end result is a fun, at times emotional and at times very dark, production that impressed everyone. 

For tickets visit: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-bodyguard/bristol-hippodrome/