A LIFE WELL LIVED
Ken Blackburn reflects on the life of his close friend, Bruce Allpress, who died at home in Auckland on April 23.
Bruce R. Allpress. 1930–2020.
Bruce Allpress was born and grew up in Dunedin, where he discovered a taste for the performing arts when he appeared in The Mikado, aged 18. As one of his closest friends for 45 years, by a happy coincidence, I also made my debut in New Zealand in a production of The Mikado, when I was 16.
Bruce was the quintessential ‘Kiwi bloke’. We met in 1975, while working on the series Close to Home, then both went on to appear in Hunter’s Gold the following year. These were the first of many engagements in theatre, film and television that found us working together, right up to Bruce’s last film appearance in Rest for the Wicked (2011). During all these years, we forged a close and lasting friendship. We shared a love of dogs, as we both held to the belief that dogs are only people trying to get out.
Whatever the role, Bruce played it with professional integrity and wore the character like a comfortable overcoat.
He explored, he questioned and he shared ideas with cast and crew, in order to find a belief in what he was doing and to ensure that his work dovetailed with the requirements of the director and other actors. He would usually be found at the crew table during meal breaks, signalling that he was “one of the boys”.
Bruce was also a seasoned and respected antiques dealer, and I always felt this gave him an edge in the judgment of quality. As with a plate or a snuffbox, so with a performance he could tell a fake from the genuine article. At the same time, he was extraordinarily generous. When asked, he would readily impart advice, and always gave of his time and expertise to help others.
His regard for the arts in general and for actors in particular is borne out in his final wishes that Equity New Zealand should be one of his beneficiaries.
Bruce will be greatly missed by the profession, and his long legacy of work on large and small screen will stand as a symbol of a life well lived. My respect and caring thoughts go out to his family.
Rest in peace, dear Bruce. Carolyn and I will always treasure your friendship. Arohanui.
Obituary contributed by Ken Blackburn MNZM.
