Christopher Bruce

Christopher Bruce has been connected to Rambert since 1959 when he went to London, aged 13, to study at the Rambert School. In this interview, he tells us about his Rambert journey – from his early days as a student in the studio with Marie Rambert and Angela Ellis to becoming Artistic Director of the Company in 1994. Bruce recalls the exciting time when Rambert reformed as a contemporary dance company in 1966 and describes working with Norman Morrice and Glen Tetley when the Company was discovering and developing a new style.

In 1969 he created ‘George Frideric’. Here Bruce tells us about the very beginnings of his choreographic career and discusses what inspired and influenced him to create his first work. Bruce also recalls and describes his time as Artistic Director (1994-2002) and finally considers some of the reasons why Rambert has successfully lasted 90 years. [Correction: Rambert’s season at the Coliseum was in 1996 and not in 1976 as stated in the interview.]

00:06:07 Rambert School
00:09:17 Marie Rambert
00:16:05 Walter Gore
00:23:21 1966 Rambert reforms as a contemporary dance company
00:27:32 Glen Tetley
00:29:42 Touring
00:34:57 On being Artistic Director
00:42:20 Rambert at 90 years

Interview recorded on 21 September 2017 at Rambert, London.
Interviewer: Claire Izzard; Filmmaker: Paul Izzard

The Rambert Voices oral history project is part of Rambert at 90, a project marking the company’s 90th anniversary, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.