If you’re looking for a night out at the theatre drenched in glitz and glamour, then this is the show for you.
Whether you’ve seen the smash hit 1992 film The Bodyguard or not, the musical adaptation that has just arrived at the Palace Theatre is hard not to tap your foot to.
It’s a show that celebrates Whitney Houston’s powerhouse vocals whilst delivering a heartfelt love story wrapped up with moments of thrill and light comedy.
My initial concern from the offset was whether or not the vocals would match that of the icon herself, but boy oh boy, there was there no need to worry.
The Bodyguard at Palace Theatre, Manchester / Credit: Paul Coltas (Supplied)
Sidonie Smith, who plays the Hollywood superstar Rachel Marron, hits every note with ease, and this isn’t an easy job.
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The soundtrack – which quickly became one of the best selling soundtracks of all time – features ballads like ‘I Will Always Love You’ and ‘One Moment In Time’, as well as energetic bops like ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ and ‘I’m Every Woman’.
It’s a tough role to play (and mostly sing), but Smith really proves herself as the superstar she’s portraying.
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Sidonie Smith and Adam Garcia in the lead roles of Rachel and Frank / Credit: Paul Costas (via Supplied)
A special shoutout must go to the costume department, as I’ve never seen so many show-stopping glittery bodysuits in one show, and the speed with which these were changed into too was truly impressive.
Adam Garcia, who plays the bodyguard himself, Frank Farmer, perfectly portrays the handsome, American secret agent-type that you want.
Standing tall on stage exuding irresistible charm and warmth, a standout moment was Sasha Monique’s rendition of Saving All My Love where the two shared undeniable yet heartbreaking chemistry.
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Credit: Paul Coltas (via Supplied)
The choreography was sharp, snappy, and full of Hollywood glitz and glamour, making the ensemble scenes some of the best, as the audience revelled in Houston’s disco hits.
Overall, this is a fabulously fun celebration of the classic film that’ll get you up dancing on your feet at the end.
The Bodyguard at the Palace Theatre Manchester is on until Saturday 31 January and you can get your tickets here.
Featured Image – Paul Coltas (Supplied)
Manchester
A$AP Rocky announces huge Manchester gig on new world tour
Daisy Jackson
A$AP Rocky is heading out on a massive world tour, and is including a gig here in Manchester.
The rapper, producer, actor and entrepreneur has just announced his upcoming 2026 tour, the Don’t Be Dumb World Tour, with a whopping 42 dates across the globe.
This will be fans’ first chance to hear his latest album and first release in eight years, Don’t Be Dumb, live.
The huge A$AP Rocky tour kicks off this May in the USA, before heading across to Europe in July.
That leg will include a gig at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 5 September, one of only three UK shows on the tour.
The announcement has come hot on the heels of the release of his fourth album last week, which Billboard has said ‘not only rewards patience but adds new wrinkles to the rapper’s approach — an evolved relationship with melody and a wiser lyrical slant’.
It became Spotify’s most pre-saved hip-hop album, with one million saves even before its release.
As well as his music career, A$AP Rocky has starred in films including the Golden Globe-winning If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, and has cemented himself as a fashion icon with his work as co-chair of the 2025 Met Gala.
He’s also been announced as the creative director for Ray-Ban, and was appointed as Chanel’s new house ambassador.
General sale for the Don’t Be Dumb World Tour will go live at 9am on Tuesday 27 January HERE.
There’ll be artist pre-sales, a Mastercard pre-sale, and various VIP packages available too.
New police hub to be set up in Piccadilly Gardens to help reduce anti-social behaviour
Emily Sergeant
A new police hub is set to be established in Piccadilly Gardens.
In case you missed it, it was announced last week that council tax in Greater Manchester could be increased to help fund improvements to policing, and that a consultation on it has been launched – with local residents urged to have their say.
The police precept helps Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to build on a range of improvements, including the speed of answering 999 and 101 calls, road and transport safety across Manchester city centre, and bringing more sex offenders to justice, among many other things.
Greater Manchester council tax is set to be increased again to help fund improvements to policing, and a consultation is now live. 🏘️🚔📝
But on top of this, Mayor Andy Burnham has also pledged to deliver a new police hub in Piccadilly Gardens as part of a wider drive to improve policing.
GMCA says its ‘top priority’ is to build strong communities where people feel safe, and it is Mayor Andy Burnham and his Deputy Mayors’ responsibility to enable GMP to be an ‘effective and efficient’ police force.
Local leaders say their ambition for 2026 is to maintain a ‘high-performing’ police service by tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and protecting residents and businesses along the way – and part of this ambition is to increase police visibility in Piccadilly Gardens, which is a much-maligned part of the city centre, by launching a new ‘prominent’ police hub.
The increase in the police precept is also being touted to help increase ‘hot spot policing tactics’ in town centres and other key locations to help drive down theft and other violent retail crimes.
A new police hub is to be set up in Piccadilly Gardens to help reduce anti-social behaviour / Credit: Gerald England (via Geograph) | Rawpixel
“We need GMP to be properly funded if it is to continue to deliver an effective and responsive service for people in Greater Manchester,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham. “The cost of running a modern police force is going up and this is at a time when our city region has become the fastest-growing economy in the UK, with visitor numbers increasing year after year.
“So much is happening here and that includes a number of major and complex incidents over the past year, including a terrorist attack. These incidents added significant pressure to police resources.
“We recognise the ongoing impact of the rising cost of living and do not take the decision to increase the precept lightly. But right now, this increase is our only option to ensure GMP can continue delivering an effective police service that ensures that people feel safe in their own communities.”
Clementine Hall -
20th January 2026 
