Published: Jan 19, 2012
Composer Michael Bruce has landed a high-profile role at one of London’s most prestigious theatres.
The 27-year-old, who as a youth taught himself to play the piano at school and in local music shops in his home city of Aberdeen, has been appointed composer in residence of the Donmar Warehouse.
Michael will work on soundtracks for the theatre’s main productions, the first being George Farquhar’s classic comedy The Recruiting Officer, in 2012.
The appointment is the latest career move for the BA (Hons) Music graduate, who spent his teenage years writing songs in his bedroom and learning the violin before developing his songwriting craft at LIPA, where he studied from 2003 to 2006.
After graduation, he won the inaugural Notes for the Stage Prize for new musical writing, following which he showcased his songs in a West End gala concert and worked as a musical director and composer on a number of productions. His work has been performed at various venues in the English capital including the National Theatre and the Bush Theatre.
On the Donmar, Michael enthused: “I'm thrilled. As a venue, it has a reputation for producing work of the highest standard. Being a part of the creative team behind its future is both exhilarating and humbling.”
The list of forthcoming shows covers different genres, a challenge which Michael, whose first love is musical theatre, is looking forward to.
He said: “Music in theatre, whether plays or musicals, has to first and foremost serve the story you are telling. Some stories can be told with very little music whereas others lend themselves to ‘musicalisation’. There are differences, obviously, as the songs in a musical are a much more dominant force, but plays are challenging in their variety. You never know what style or period you may have to evoke for the next project.”
As well as presenting at least six productions a year at its home in Covent Garden, the Donmar presents work nationally and internationally. Donmar-generated productions have received 40 Olivier Awards, 23 Critics’ Circle Awards, 21 Evening Standard Awards, two South Bank Awards, and 20 Tony Awards from ten Broadway productions.
Michael has released an album of his work called Michael Bruce: Unwritten Songs.