West End star Sasha Monique joins the UK and European tour of the award-winning smash-hit musical, The Bodyguard, as it heads to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 April 2026.
We caught up with Sasha to chat about taking on this iconic film-to-stage adaptation, her career to date, and life on the road.
Who is Nicki Marron and what is her role in the story?
Nicki is Rachel Marron’s sister. Like her sister she is also a singer-songwriter, but she took a step back to let Rachel step into the spotlight. But she’s always loved singing and still continues to sing throughout the show. I see a lot of myself in her, being a singer and a songwriter myself.
Then there’s the maternal aspect of her, always looking out for her siblings. I have three siblings myself, and playing the kind of sister who wants to make sure Rachel is OK really appeals to me. I don’t have sisters, actually. I’ve got an older brother and two younger brothers, so I’m the middle child, but definitely the mum to both sides, older and younger. So I relate to Nicki in how she’s the sister looking after her siblings.
Are there ways in which you’re very different to her?
I think that she is probably a little bit stronger than I am as a person. She was happy to step back and let her sister take the limelight, but she still loves music so much and you can tell throughout the story that there’s an underlying emotion of… I don’t know if I’d call it resentment, because she is happy to let Rachel shine, but she feels like she’s missed out on her chance.
Why do you think The Bodyguard is so beloved?
The easy answer would be the music. I think the music is just timeless and it evokes and provokes so many emotions.
There are all these relatable moments, whether it’s through a sad song or through the feel-good, high-energy numbers. So I think the music is a massive part of what appeals to people about this show.
Then there’s the drama of the story, and everyone loves a bit of drama, don’t they? And with the characters, there’s someone that everyone can relate to in some way.
The musical features an incredible soundtrack. Do you have a favourite to perform in it?
I’d have to say Run to You, which I get to sing with Sidonie [Smith, who plays Rachel]. It’s such a beautiful song, and the fact that I get to sing it as a duet is even more beautiful. It adds an extra layer to the song. As much as we all love it in the original version, as soon as you add another harmony it takes the song to another level.
What first drew you to musical theatre as a profession?
It’s so funny that you ask me that, because I was having a scroll through my phone the other day and I saw a video of me as a youngster at a family party, just singing along. [Laughs] Sasha was always a little performer!
From a very young age, I’d be singing and dancing and I’ve always loved it. There was one teacher in secondary school – Danni, who is now a really good friend of mine – who said ‘Sasha, I think you need to do this a little bit more than just in little showcases and stuff’. She gave me a few solos to sing, and it just went from there.
What have been your favourite jobs so far?
I’ve recently finished Hairspray, where I was very fortunate to have an amazing company to do it with. It’s such a feel-good show and I got to do it with a really talented group of people, which was lovely.
I did The Book of Mormon, which was very different to Hairspray but again an amazing show where people were literally crying with laughter.
What do you most enjoy about touring in a show?
The best part of touring is getting to see so many different, amazing, beautiful theatres that you wouldn’t typically see.
Is there anything you couldn’t be on the road without?
Yes, my little handheld fan. I take it everywhere with me. A portable, chargeable fan is my go-to because while some theatres have great air-con some theatres don’t, and I overheat a little bit – especially when doing a high-energy show like this one.
Tickets for The Bodyguard (Tuesday 21– Saturday 25 April 2026) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
- In Common is not for profit. We rely on donations from readers to keep the site running. Could you help to support us for as little as 25p a week? Please help us to carry on offering independent grass roots media. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/incommonsoton