Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar-nominated Warner Bros. film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, the international, award-winning, smash-hit musical The Bodyguard returns with a UK tour running from 2025 to 2026. Directed by Thea Sharrock, the production seamlessly transitions between concert-style spectacle and intimate, suspenseful storytelling.
It features a lighting design by Mark Henderson, working in close collaboration with associate lighting designer Dale Driscoll and lighting programmer Stuart ‘Stacy’ Cross. The team approached White Light (WL) to supply the touring rig, continuing a long-standing partnership; WL previously supported the original West End production and subsequent tours.
Now in its fourth UK tour and twentieth iteration overall, The Bodyguard has evolved significantly. Driscoll explained: “The show moves from big concert-style production numbers to very dark moments that build suspense as the story unfolds. Lighting plays a key role in guiding the audience through these emotional shifts.”
To meet the demands of touring, the rig has been streamlined over the years; without compromising impact. This production marks a milestone as it is the first to feature a fully LED rig. Fixtures include Martin MAC Viper XIPs, MAC Encore Colds, MAC Ones, MAC Aura XBs, GLP X4 Bars, ColorForce 72s, and ETC Lustr 2s. Notably, the front-of-house Encores were replaced with Martin MAC Viper XIPs, integrated with ZackTrack for faster, more responsive movement, enhancing the precision of follow-spot tracking.
WL’s collaborative approach was instrumental in refining the rig. “Andy Cullen and Stuart Porter were a great help in selecting the right units for this version of the tour,” Driscoll shared. “And the team in the warehouse were excellent during prep.”
One of the biggest challenges was replacing the long-standing Sharpy Washes. With WL’s support, the team transitioned to Martin MAC Ones, which deliver both the beam intensity required for musical numbers and the wash coverage needed for dramatic scenes; whilst also eliminating re-lamp costs.
The lighting design doesn’t just support the narrative, it elevates it. Driscoll highlighted several “big reveal” moments where lighting and sound converge to create powerful audience reactions. These moments reflect the importance of precision, creativity, and collaboration in delivering impactful storytelling, values that WL brings to every production.
Stuart Porter, WL’s Business Development Manager, commented: “We’ve enjoyed working with Dale and the LX team to adapt their rig into a flexible touring system. Our colleagues’ expert knowledge is a real asset when swapping equipment to suit different venue sizes. It’s great that WL has such a wide range of assets to support that.”
Audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with reviews frequently praising the lighting’s contribution to the show’s emotional resonance. As The Bodyguard continues its journey across the UK, WL remains proud to support productions that combine creative ambition with technical excellence.
