Dannyka Manangan

British actor Matt Blaker makes his Philippine debut in 'The Bodyguard' musical

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>When he first found out he had landed the male lead role in the Philippine staging of the musical <em>The Bodyguard</em> earlier this year, British actor Matt Blaker was already on the road touring with an international production. The West End actor admitted to<strong> PUSH ABS-CBN</strong> in an exclusive interview that he was excited to work in the Philippines for the first time. </p><p>“I was excited. I love traveling. I’ve just come off the international tour of Chicago where we visited 15, 16 countries. I love immersing myself in new cultures, new experiences, and the FIlipino people have been so welcoming. So I was excited. That was my one sort of major feeling was excitement for getting involved in a new place and really, when you live there for three or four months, you really get to experience it and there’s nothing better than that,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN during The Bodyguard press launch held earlier this month at Rockwell Mall, Makati City. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DN5WdI2jCzk/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A3942047.099999994%2C%22ls%22%3A162137.09999999404%2C%22le%22%3A163026.09999999404%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNzduLPXg2N/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A3942059.799999997%2C%22ls%22%3A162137.09999999404%2C%22le%22%3A163026.09999999404%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>In the newest 9Works Theatrical production, Matt plays the role of Frank Farmer, a character first made popular by Kevin Costner in the 1992 Hollywood film starring opposite Whitney Houston. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOJOjswEoc-/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A3942071.5%2C%22ls%22%3A162137.09999999404%2C%22le%22%3A163026.09999999404%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="789" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>After arriving in the country last month to start rehearsals, Matt had nothing but praise for his co-stars in the show, most of whom he had never met before <em>The Bodyguard</em> except for fellow West End artist, Christine Collado.</p><p>“They are just as talented, just as passionate, as anybody I’ve met in the West End. And their standard here is so high. The quality of the singing, the dancing, the acting is second to none. It’s a brilliant, brilliant place. Theater is booming in the Philippines. And that is nowhere more present than in <em>The Bodyguard</em> with these amazing Filipino talents,”he shared. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOL3qeOEg48/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A3943840.799999997%2C%22ls%22%3A162137.09999999404%2C%22le%22%3A163026.09999999404%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Matt said he hopes more people can get to experience watching live theater, especially <em>The Bodyguard</em>, because of its entertainment value.</p><p>“100% there’s nothing like live theater. And to see these stories played out in front of you, it’s like watching a TV but it’s in your face. It’s loud. it’s a brilliant, brilliant thing to do for a great night out. And <em>The Bodyguard</em> is the perfect introduction to that because it’s a bit like a concert, it’s a bit like a movie. It’s got aspects of everything based around a timeless love story, forbidden love that across every age bracket and it’s the perfect thing to watch,” he explained. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOLfUd_kjXf/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A3943942.399999991%2C%22ls%22%3A162137.09999999404%2C%22le%22%3A163026.09999999404%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>When the show ends its run in October, Matt said he is already excited at the prospect of seeing more of the country and its numerous islands.</p><p>“It’s my first time in the Philippines. I haven’t had any balut yet (laughs) but I am making my way sort of through Philippine food. So I’ve had some rambutan and all sorts of stuff so it’s been great. I think as soon as I got here, the cast was like, ‘This is what you have to try!’ But so far, we haven’t had to have balut yet. I love surfing so the plan is to go to Siargao and trying to get some surfing in for a few days. Our choreographer has a place in Cebu and there’s some canyoneering in Moalboal that looks absolutely brilliant. So what I really want to do is get into the river and really experience some different things out here. And we are planning to go to Balesin at the end of the trip which I think would be beautiful,” he said. </p><p>When asked if he has already adjusted to the erratic weather conditions,<em> The Bodyguard </em>actor said it is not that different from his own hometown. “It rains just as much in London. Not quite as hard but it does rain in London. I’m hoping that the sun does come out in October!” he added. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-10" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOJTfyiEoTQ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A10%2C%22os%22%3A3944077.200000003%2C%22ls%22%3A162137.09999999404%2C%22le%22%3A163026.09999999404%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-10" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Watch Matt Blaker in 9Works Theatrical’s <em>The Bodyguard The Musical</em> starting September 26 until October 19, with shows at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at the Proscenium Theater at Rockwell in Makati City. </p>

<p>West End actor Matt Blaker talks about coming to the Philippines for the first time and bringing to life the role Hollywood actor Kevin Costner first made popular in the 1992 blockbuster film.</p>

West End actor Matt Blaker talks about coming to the Philippines for the first time and bringing to life the role Hollywood actor Kevin Costner first made popular in the 1992 blockbuster film.