No stranger to the stage, international leading lady, Sidonie Smith, returns to award-winning smash-hit musical The Bodyguard as Rachel Marron – a role she previously played to critical acclaim – coming to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 April 2026.
We sat down with Sidonie to chat about making this iconic role her own, belting ballads and life on the road.
What can audiences expect when they come to see the show?
This show is pure joy. If you love this music, it’s going to be just the most incredible night you’ve had in a theatre in a long, long time. Revisiting it always reminds me that I didn’t even realise how good these hits were when I was growing up and listening to them on the radio.
For me, it’s about getting to delve into the lyrics and the beautiful chord changes. Witnessing it going from screen to stage in such a fantastic show is an amazing experience for audiences, as is getting to perform in it. On top of all that fantastic music is the drama and the love story. It’s funny, it’s edgy, it’s dramatic and it’s heart-breaking.
You previously played Rachel in the German production of The Bodyguard. What are you most looking forward to about returning to the role for the UK and Europe tour?
What I love about Rachel and what I have missed about playing her, between the last time and now, is the range of her emotions in the show.
I mean, she is a diva, but she’s so much more than that. She’s a mum, she’s a sister, she is someone who is vulnerable and falls in love, and she’s not just the star that you see on television. As I say, you get to see her full range of emotions and that’s what I’m looking forward to returning to as an actor.
Can you relate to her in any way? And in what ways are you completely different?
I love with reckless abandon, just as Rachel does. When she falls, she falls hard, as do I. She is someone who can maybe be a bit temperamental every now and again, but she loves her sister and she is absolutely head over heels in love with her son Fletcher.
From the beginning when she first meets the bodyguard, Frank Farmer, to where they end up is a full swing of emotions, and that’s something that I have in common with her. I feel very deeply and I love very deeply.
The Bodyguard features an incredible soundtrack. Do you have a favourite number to perform in it?
Hands down it has to be One Moment in Time. It’s my favourite song to sing in the show and every night I do it I get goosebumps.
I think it’s because of the stillness of the moment.
Those who have already seen the show will know that there are a lot of highs and lows and action in the musical, then during One Moment in Time everything kind of comes to a halt and there’s nothing but me and the music.
What are the costumes you get to wear?
They’re so exuberant, they’re gorgeous, they’re sassy and they’re joyful. They have so much movement within them – with all the tassels, the fringes and the sequins.
Then when Rachel is at home, her clothes are soft and warm. Throughout the show I get to wear an absolutely beautiful range of costumes.
Me? [Laughs]
You can find me in a onesie most of the time. Sometimes I’ll put a coat over it to make it seem like I’ve made an effort, but I am a comfy type of human being most of the time.
Why do you think The Bodyguard is such a compelling story?
I think that we all just want to see love win and when we see two people give it a try we’re automatically on their side. T
hat’s what speaks to so many of us about Frank and Rachel’s story.
It’s also a glimpse into another world. It’s a look behind the curtain. The glamour is still there in abundance, but it’s wonderful to get the chance to peel it all back and see the real people behind all of the glitz.
It must be a very demanding show for you. How do you stay match-fit for it?
I get a lot of rest and I’ve started to jog and sing at the same time. That’s the one thing that keeps the stamina up, because it’s not only about singing these big numbers, it’s about being able to move around the stage and still have the energy to go right into the next scene.
What first got you hooked on musical theatre as a career?
I’m a violinist and I had finished studying violin in Florida, where I’m from, and was gigging around. I was just trying to make a little money as a student and I played violin for so many musicals in the orchestra pit.
After a while I realised that I was memorising my score so that I could turn around, look up and watch what was happening on stage. I thought ‘What if I just give it a try?’
So I kind of hopped up out of the pit to see if there was something for me there and luckily there was. My first role was in Fiddler on the Roof, where naturally enough I played the fiddler.
What have been your favourite jobs since then?
Recently I got to play Kala in Disney’s Tarzan and that was a really beautiful role, much like Rachel. Kala has a son in the show, as Rachel has, and it’s always so lovely to play opposite young actors who are so intelligent and so brave.
Other than that I loved playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret. I was Joanna in Sweeney Todd and I loved that too because I got to be an actor-musician, playing viola and violin.
Is this your first time performing in the UK? And was being in a show over here on your wish list?
I’ve only done concerts in the UK before, in London, so I’m thrilled that I’ll get to see so many towns and cities this time round. As a lot of people do, previously I’d come over to London, do the concert and go home.
And yes, being in a show over here has always been on my wish list. UK theatre is so revered around the world and doing this tour means I not only get to explore all these beautiful venues, I also get to explore the country itself.
When I’m somewhere new I tend to look up the reviews to see what people are saying about where to head and what not to miss. I’m especially excited about seeing the castles because I’m from the United States, so castles are not a thing where I’m from!
Is there one thing you couldn’t be on the road without when you’re touring?
I am someone who always carries an XXL water bottle with me, to keep myself hydrated. I fill it up everywhere and anywhere that I can.
What do you hope people take away from seeing the show?
I really hope that time stops for people when they come in.
Life is complicated and life can be hard, so I hope that when people come into the theatre they can just press pause on whatever’s happening, whatever’s stressing them out or whatever is weighing them down and just come and be in the moment with us. [Laughs]
I hope they can be with us for one moment in time, then leave feeling a little bit lighter.
Tickets for The Bodyguard (Tuesday 21– Saturday 25 April 2026) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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