Bruce Murray

Bruce (centre) in a publicity shot for Starting Here, Starting Now with Sally Lill & Ann Mattey

SLTC Member 1975 - 1984

Bruce Murray joined SLTC in 1975 after coming to the UK from New Zealand on his OE (Overseas Experience).

He soon became very involved in the theatre performing, directing and designing many productions. He was on the General Council (Executive) for many years serving as Theatre Committtee Member which included two years as Chairman.

Renowned for his musical productions, he had many notable successes including The Wizard of Oz, Sing Brel (twice), You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (twice), War Note, Rodgers A Man On The Great White Way, Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill, Finian's Rainbow and Pippin. Plays included Tom Jones and John Yorath's epic play about the Crystal Palace, The Last Day Of November (staged twice).

He returned to New Zealand in December 1984, where he has continued his interest in musical theatre, staging many shows around the Auckland area, the most recent being Titanic, The Musical at Centrestage Orewa, NZ. In 2009 he will direct Les Miserables for Centrestage.

He is married to Julie and has two grown-up children Wendy and Brent.

Acting/Singing Roles

• Richard Lionheart in The Lion In Winter (1976) (Main Stage)
• Mark Ingestre in Sweeney Todd the Barber (1977) (Main Stage)
• Singer in Rogers a Man on the Great White Way (1978) (Prompt Corner)
• Mr Pinchwife in Acting Class (1979) (Prompt Corner)
• Singer 4 in Sing Brel (1979) (Prompt Corner)
• Ensemble in Oh, What a Lovely War (1979) (Main Stage)
• Leading Player in Pippin (1980) (Main Stage)
• He (Michael) in I Do! I Do! (1981) (Prompt Corner)
• Singer in Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill (1982) (Prompt Corner)
• in A Celebration of Christmas (1982) (Bell Theatre)
• Singer 3 in Starting Here, Starting Now (1983) (Bell Theatre)

Productions as Pianist

• Aladdin (1977) (Main Stage) with Lynn Jenner

Productions as Devisor and Director

• Rogers a Man on the Great White Way (1978) (Prompt Corner)
• Sing Brel (1979) (Prompt Corner)

Productions as Designer & Director

• You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (1977) (Prompt Corner)
• The Wizard of Oz (1979) (Main Stage)
• Pippin (1980) (Main Stage)
• Cinderella (1981) (Main Stage)
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1981) (Bell Theatre)
• Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill (1982) (Prompt Corner)
• Starting Here, Starting Now (1983) (Bell Theatre)
• The Last Day of November (1983) (Bell Theatre)
• Finian's Rainbow (1984) (Bell Theatre)
• Godspell (1984) (Bell Theatre)
• The Last Day of November (1984) (Bell Theatre)

Productions as Director

• Tom Jones (1980) (Main Stage)

Productions as Designer

• Fanny's First Play (1979) (Prompt Corner)
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (1979) (Main Stage)

Productions as Set Designer

• Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (1978) (Main Stage)
• An Inspector Calls (1979) (Main Stage)
• I am a Camera (1979) (Main Stage)
• Kennedy's Children (1980) (Main Stage)
• Zoo Story (1981) (Main Stage)
• 27 Wagons Full of Cotton (1981) (Main Stage)
• The Bed Before Yesterday (1981) (Main Stage)
• Zoo Zoo Widdershins Zoo (1983) (Bell Theatre)

Productions as Stage Manager

• Red Peppers (1981) (Main Stage)
• The Typists (1981) (Main Stage)
• Hancock's Last Half Hour (1981) (Main Stage)
• Zoo Story (1981) (Main Stage)
• 27 Wagons Full of Cotton (1981) (Main Stage)

Set Construction on:

• The Day After the Fair (1980) (Main Stage)
• Tom Jones (1980) (Main Stage)
• Kennedy's Children (1980) (Main Stage)
• Cinderella (1981) (Main Stage)
• The Bed Before Yesterday (1981) (Main Stage)
• Zoo Zoo Widdershins Zoo (1983) (Bell Theatre)
• Finian's Rainbow (1984) (Bell Theatre)
• The Last Day of November (1984) (Bell Theatre)

Wardrobe on:

• The Day After the Fair (1980) (Main Stage)

Properties on:

• The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie) (1977) (Main Stage)

External Links

• This member's Web Site.