Bruce Allpress: A Kiwi character...

Interview – 2012

Veteran actor Bruce Allpress had a long career in theatre, film and television. His television credits included Close to Home, Hanlon, Shark in the Park, and the lead role in series Jocko. He also acted in movies The Scarecrow and Rest for the Wicked.

Allpress died on 23 April 2020. In this ScreenTalk conducted back in 2011, he talked about:

Getting a dressing down on the set of soap opera Close to Home
How being "laconic" at his audition got him the lead role in 1980s TV series Jocko
Having four days to learn how to use a bullwhip for the show
How Jocko was a quintessential Kiwi character
What happened when his mate Ian Mune lost control of a horse on set
Getting the role of Sparky on Mortimer’s Patch, after removing his teeth
The importance of rehearsal; driving into a camera while riding a quad bike on Duggan
Finding The Piano an odd film to be in
Being confused about his role in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Acting with his "over 60s mates" in comedy mystery Rest for the Wicked
A passion project that he hoped to get on screen

This video was first uploaded on 8 February 2012, and is available under this Creative Commons licence. This licence is limited to use of ScreenTalk interview footage only and does not apply to any video content and photographs from films, television, music videos, web series and commercials used in the interview.

Interview, Camera and Editing – Andrew Whiteside

I know when I auditioned for it [Tom] Finlayson said to me, he said 'you’re too young for this job'. And I put my head to one side and I whipped my teeth out. I came back around with this gummy person...and he just collapsed, and so I got the role.
– Bruce Allpress on auditioning for producer Tom Finlaysonthe role of Sparky on TV series Mortimer’s Patch

Bruce's Full Profile