THEATRE

2017-2019, Bruce played Abner Dillon in 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, (with Sheena Easton and Lulu and Bonnie Lanford). Directed by Mark Bramble, Produced by Michael Grade and Michael Linnit. (Gate Ventures).

In 2016 he played Florenz Ziegfeld in the musical Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre London with Sheridan Smith (transfering from the Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre) Directed by Michael Mayer and Produced by Sonia Friedman.

Also in 2016 he appeared in Harvey Fierstein's Casa Valentina as Terry at the Southwark Playhouse.

He played Juliet Mills’s husband in Bedroom Farce for Sir Peter Hall, Phantom of the Opera playing Firman (2 years at Her Majesty’s Theatre), Oliver! playing Mr Brownlow (3 years at The Palladium) and Fiddler on the Roof playing The Constable (with Topol at the Palladium). He starred in Neil Simon’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers at the Strand Theatre.

WRITING

As a writer, Bruce has written several plays for the BBC. His latest book is The Book of Shakespearian Useless

Information (John Blake Ltd) which followed Birds, Bees and Educated Fleas (Metro) and Wedding Bells and Chimney Sweeps (John Blake Ltd).

He has written a new radio sitcom series called The Theory of Relatives starring Wendy Craig the production of which has been held up due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He co-authored The Book of Royal Useless Information and Catch That Tiger! – a true ‘Boys Own’ adventure story about the capture of the German Tiger tank in World War 2 (both published in 2012 by John Blake Ltd.)

VOICE

He has been the featured artist and voice for Stannah Stairlifts for the last five years and has voiced countless commercials. He appeared in two Doctor Who audio plays (The Genocide Machine and The Sword of Orion) and has narrated over 100 audio books as well as several animated films including A Christmas Carol, Treasure Island and A Connecticut Yankee in the Court of King Arthur.

BACKGROUND

Bruce graduated from the RADA in 1959 whereupon he joined Sir Barry Jackson's Birmingham Repertory Company.  Later, he became a member of the Old Vic Company appearing with Vivien Leigh in 12th Night, La Dame aux Camellias and Duel of Angels. He supported Vivien again in her last UK play La  Contessa, produced by HM Tennants' and Leyland Hayward. 

Between 1967 and 1970, he directed and acted in New Zealand and Australia. (He co-founded the Mercury Theatre in Auckland).

He now splits his time between Hove in Sussex and Nice in France and on most Friday evenings can be found in Stoke Newington.  He is married to actress Barbara Latham with whom he has two children, Sam - a Director of Photography, and Kate - a teacher.