A FORMER Mount Gambier performer experienced a shaky start to his international debut after an armed and arson attack in the Phillipines caused a touring children’s production to be cancelled.
Mount Gambier triple-threat Bronson Pfeiler recently landed a role in the popular production of Paw Patrol Live and was set to debut in Manila this month.
However, the Phillipines leg of the tour was cancelled following a siege at Resorts World, a hotel and casino complex in Manila just after midnight on June 2.
Phillipines news outlets reported 37 people died and at least 78 others were injured during an armed and arson attack at the complex.
Resorts World was the scheduled venue for a run of Paw Patrol Live shows and the cast finished their final rehearsal at the venue late June 1 and left the complex several hours before the incident occurred.
Although shocked by the incident, Mr Pfeiler said he was lucky to avoid the tragedy at Resorts World.
“We were clear from everything,” he said.
“Luckily, we were all out of the venue three hours before anything happened.”
He said the cast appeared on the national breakfast television show Umagang KayGanda while in Manila.
“Unfortunately we did not get to perform due to the circumstances which happened at our venue, so I only managed to do some promotional work for the company,” Mr Pfeiler said.
“However, our next stop for the tour will be Singapore in a couple of months so I am looking forward to my official opening night over there.”
Based on the popular animated Nickelodeon television series, Paw Patrol Live brings the adored canine characters to life.
Mr Pfeiler stars as the dalmatian Marshall, but is also an understudy to Rider.
Far from the glamorous productions he has appeared in with Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance, Mr Pfeiler tackles a new challenge in Paw Patrol Live.
“Basically my role will hurl around an extra 20 to 25kg while dancing, singing, putting on a Marshall voice and controlling the puppet’s mouth and eyes,” he said.
“It is quite different from my past roles because I am essentially a giant puppet, but I still get so much enjoyment from the experience.”
Looking forward to his debut in August, Mr Pfeiler said he was proud to be involved with the popular show.
“It has been great so far, nothing beats getting paid to travel overseas and explore,” he said.
“It is almost too much fun playing with Marshall.”
