Preview: The Bodyguard at Sunderland Empire

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NORTH EAST’S ZOE BIRKETT TO STAR IN THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL

The Bodyguard

Sunderland Empire

Tuesday 1^st – Saturday 12^th March 2016

Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce that Zoe Birkett will star in the leading role of ‘Rachel Marron’ in Thea Sharrock’s hit musical The Bodyguard (www.thebodyguardmusical.com) when it returns to the North East to play Sunderland Empire from 1-12 March 2016.

Zoe Birkett

Zoe Birkett said "Playing Rachel Marron is a dream come true for me. Whitney Houston has always been an idol of mine, singing those legendary songs I will have to pinch myself. I can't wait to start the production and get on the road around the UK."

Consett-born actress and singer 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, originated the female lead in Thriller Live and was also a lead role in Respect La Diva. Her other theatre credits include the Acid Queen in Tommy, Maureen in Rent and Dion in Hair.

Producer Michael Harrison said today “Not only am I thrilled that our production of the musical The Bodyguard is returning to the North East next March, but for the North East’s very own leading lady, the amazing Zoe Birkett, to be playing the role of star Rachel Marron is truly the icing on the cake. Zoe is such a wonderful actress and singer that I’m sure the theatregoers of Sunderland will welcome her home with the same fantastic reception she has been receiving throughout the UK.”

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.

Tickets:

Tickets on sale now and available in person at the Box Office on High Street West, from the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* or online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland*

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your standard network charge. Booking fees may apply to telephone and online bookings