X Factor Winner to Star in Smash-Hit Musical at HMT

Following her sell-out run at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End, three-time Brit nominee and X-Factor winner, Alexandra Burke, will star in the leading role of Rachel Marron in the hit musical The Bodyguard coming to His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen in March.

Delighted producers Michael Harrison and David Ian announced the casting for the forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of Thea Sharrock's romantic thriller today.

Alexandra Burke said: "I couldn't be happier to be joining the tour and I'm excited to get started. Being on the theatre stage has brought me great happiness.

"It is an honour to have been asked to join the team and I look forward to creating new and long lasting memories with the cast."

The Bodyguard will be staged at His Majesty's Theatre for two weeks from Tuesday, March 17, and tickets are available online at www.aberdeenperformingarts.com, by phone at 01224 641122 and at Aberdeen Box Office at the Music Hall and His Majesty's Theatre

Alexandra Burke will perform the role of Rachel Marron at all evening performances while at the matinee performances, the role will be played by Zoe Birkett, who 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 and originated the female lead in Thriller Live.

Alexandra rose to fame after winning the fifth series of The X Factor and her debut No1 single Hallelujah sold over one million copies in the UK, a first for a British female soloist.

Her first album, Overcome, saw the release of her subsequent No1 singles Bad Boys and Start Without You; her second album, Heartbreak on Hold, was released in June 2012 and later this year sees the release of her third studio album.

In 2011 she embarked on her first solo tour and was invited by Beyoncé to support her I Am . . .Tour.

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.

The musical 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.

(ENDS)

Notes for editors:

Please find attached a photograph of Alexandra Burke in the role of Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard, free to use.

Issued on Friday, October 17, 2014

Press Contact:

Further details from Joyce Summers,
Press Manager,
Aberdeen Performing Arts,
Tel 01224 337641 Mob 07919 565156 Email joyce.summers@aberdeenperformingarts.com
Aberdeen Performing Arts is a charity registered in Scotland No: SC033733