From West End to Manila: Christine Allado, Matt Blaker to star in ‘The Bodyguard: The Musical’

When the curtain rises on "The Bodyguard: The Musical" this September, it will not only bring Whitney Houston’s music to the Philippine stage but also mark a homecoming and a debut. 

At its center are two actors whose journeys to Manila could not be more different: West End talent Christine Allado, returning to her roots, and British actor Matt Blaker, making his Asian stage debut.

Christine Allado: A homecoming 

For Allado, stepping into the role of superstar Rachel Marron feels like life coming full circle. After building an international career on the West End, most notably in "Hamilton," the Filipina actress is finally back where it all began.

“Honestly, it means the world. This is where it all started for me. This is what formed me and gave me the fuel to go abroad,” she told GMA News Online in an interview. 

“Now, being able to do this role here, surrounded by family and community—it feels very full circle.”

According to Allado, she sees strong parallels between herself and Rachel, a woman who sacrificed normalcy for the pursuit of art. 

“Rachel is a performer who had to give up privacy, safety, and love to chase her dream. In a way, I had to do the same, I left home as a teenager, moved abroad with no family, no friends, and had to figure everything out on my own. Like Rachel, I feel most alive when I’m on stage.”

She described Rachel as more than a singer, but a full-fledged modern performer.

“Our version of Rachel is like a pop idol today, someone who sings, dances, and commands a stage like a K-pop star. But at her core, she chooses to say: I’m enough. That’s what makes her powerful.”

Matt Blaker: First time in Manila

Opposite Allado is Matt Blaker, who takes on the role of Frank Farmer, the stoic bodyguard tasked with protecting Rachel. While the film made Kevin Costner’s portrayal iconic, Blaker admitted he found a fresh challenge in playing a character who says very little.

“Frank is an observer. He doesn’t speak much, so it’s about presence, timing, and subtlety. That was a challenge as an actor—to create impact with silence,” he said.

Blaker’s journey to Manila began with a simple phone call from Allado herself. 

“I rang him up and said, ‘Matt, would you consider joining us for Manila?’” Allado recalled with a smile.

Without hesitation, Blaker agreed. 

“It was Christine’s call that brought me here. The chance to work with her, to tell this story, and to perform in the Philippines, was an immediate yes.”

This is Blaker’s first time performing in Asia, and he confessed that adjusting to Filipino audiences, even before opening night, has been eye-opening. 

“There’s a warmth and an energy here that you don’t get everywhere. Even the way Robbie (Guevarra, director) asks us to deliver certain lines—he’ll say, ‘Trust me, Filipinos will appreciate it this way.’ It’s a unique experience to shape a role for this culture.”

A love story for Filipinos

At its core, "The Bodyguard: The Musical" is about the unlikely romance between Rachel and Frank. Allado and Blaker both emphasized how universal—and surprisingly Filipino the story is.

“Rachel may be a superstar, but at the end of the day she’s just a woman who wants love and family. That longing is very relatable to Filipinos, who value both community and sacrifice,” Allado explained. 

As the Philippine theater scene enjoys a renaissance, Allado and Blaker hope their production can both honor Houston’s legacy and give Manila something fresh.

“There’s a boom in local theater right now, and we’re lucky to be part of it. I hope people leave the theater humming Whitney’s songs but also feeling inspired by the story of love, sacrifice, and courage," Allado added. 

"The Bodyguard: The Musical" opens at the Proscenium Theater on September 26. It not only promises to bring nostalgia for fans of the film and Houston’s music, but also a staging crafted with Filipino audiences in mind. 

The lead cast will be joined by an ensemble of powerhouse Filipino performers: Sheena Palad as Nicki Marron; CJ Navato as Ray Court (and Frank Farmer cover); Tim Yap as Sy Spector; John Joven-Uy as Bill Devaney; Vien King as Agent Laney; Jasper Jimenez as Tony Scibelli; and Paji Arceo as Douglas.  Alternating the role of Fletcher are Elian Santos and Giani Sarita. 

—CDC, GMA Integrated News