Stage: I Will always love this

Early warning as Alexandra Burke is announced as star of The Bodyguard tour at The Hawth Crawley

Following her sell-out run at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End, producers Michael Harrison and David Ian have announced that three-time Brit nominee and X-Factor winner, Alexandra Burke, will star in the leading role of Rachel Marron at The Hawth Crawley.
Alexandra Burke said; “I couldn’t be happier to be joining the tour and I’m excited to get started. Being on the theatre stage has brought me great happiness. It is an honour to have been asked to join the team and I look forward to creating new and long lasting memories with the cast.” 
 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’. In 2011 she embarked on her first solo tour and was invited by Beyoncé to support her ‘I Am…’ tour. Her second album, Heartbreak On Hold, was released in June 2012, and later this year sees the release of her third album.

Alexandra Burke will perform the role of Rachel Marron at all evening performances. At the matinee performances, the role will be played by Zoe Birkett.
Zoe Birkett is probably best known as the highest placing female contestant in ITV’s Pop Idol, 2002. Since then she has appeared in the West End productions of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and originated the female lead in Thriller Live. Her other theatre credits include The Acid Queen in Tommy and Maureen in Rent.
The production is based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film, The Bodyguard, which starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, was nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including ‘Best New Musical’ and ‘Best Set Design’ and won ‘Best New Musical’ at the Whatsonstage Awards.
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 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 biggest selling songs of all time – ‘I Will Always Love You’.

The Bodyguard, The Hawth Crawley, Tue 24 November – Sat 5 December 2015
Tickets: Mon–Thur £43, Fri & Sat £45, Wed & Thur @2.30pm £35, discounts (Mon–Thur only): concessions £5 off, groups 6 or more £7.50 off