The iconic Hollywood romance gets a musical makeover, with Showtime Management bringing the hit production to Cape Town and Johannesburg. Get ready for big vocals, bigger emotions and a whole lot of Whitney Houston. THE BODYGUARD is heading to South Africa in 2027, bringing the iconic story of superstar Rachel Marron and her bodyguard, Frank Farmer, to the stage.
The Bodyguard
Presented by Showtime Management, the musical will make its South African premiere at Artscape in Cape Town on 12 March 2027, before moving to Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg from 23 April 2027.
Based on the 1992 blockbuster film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, THE BODYGUARD follows Marron, a global superstar whose glamorous life takes a dangerous turn when she becomes the target of a mystery stalker. Former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer is hired to protect her, but keeping his distance becomes increasingly difficult as an unexpected romance begins to develop. And then there is the soundtrack. Because what would The Bodyguard be without Whitney’s legendary music?
Stage Production
The stage production features some of Houston’s biggest hits, including “I Will Always Love You”, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”, “Queen of the Night”, “I Have Nothing”, “Run to You” and “So Emotional”. Basically, the musical is arriving with enough vocal firepower to make your shower performances feel slightly embarrassing.
The original film became a global phenomenon following its release in 1992. Its soundtrack, performed largely by Houston, became the best-selling soundtrack album in history, selling more than 45 million copies worldwide. It also won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, while “I Will Always Love You” became a defining hit of Houston’s career. The soundtrack also earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song, with “I Have Nothing” and “Run to You” both recognised by the Oscars.
Showtime management
For Showtime Management, the production follows a growing run of major movie-inspired musicals brought to South African audiences. The company recently introduced PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL to the country and is also behind the current return season of MAMMA MIA!, which is enjoying its Cape Town run before transferring to Montecasino’s Teatro from 16 October. The cast of THE BODYGUARD is yet to be revealed, with the announcement expected in early October. Naturally, the biggest question will be who gets the rather terrifyingly exciting job of stepping into the shoes of Rachel Marron and Frank Farmer.
Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management says the production is an exciting addition to the company’s growing theatre slate.
“Bringing another huge movie-based musical to South Africa for the first time is a thrill,” she says. “We can’t wait to announce our wonderful cast as we bring these famous screen characters to the stage.” With romance, danger, glamour, powerhouse vocals and a soundtrack that already lives rent-free in millions of people’s heads, THE BODYGUARD promises a theatrical experience designed to appeal to both longtime Whitney Houston fans and musical theatre lovers.
And yes, you already know the audience is going to sing along.
🎟️ Early Bird Specials
Audiences can take advantage of 20% off selected early performances:
- Cape Town: Wednesday 17 March and Thursday 18 March 2027
- Johannesburg: Wednesday 28 April and Thursday 29 April 2027
Tickets are limited, with a maximum of six tickets per customer. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, the exclusive ticketing agent. THE BODYGUARD opens at Artscape in Cape Town on 12 March 2027, before transferring to Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg on 23 April 2027. Bring your Whitney knowledge. Bring your singing voice. Just remember: Kevin Costner isn’t coming to save you if you hit that high note wrong
