Happy Birthday, Tobermorians!

2019 has marked the fortieth anniversary of New Zealand’s first actors’ agency. 

Thirty pioneering years in Robert’s hands, and ten since I decided the best way to honour Robert’s work would be for RBA to continue and thrive. 

And here we are, with a past to celebrate and a future to embrace: with a roster as full as ever of exciting talent, and screen production at a scale that was unimaginable in 1979.

It’s deeply rewarding professionally to work with so many outstanding artists - some with the agency from day one, some fresh from Australasia’s drama schools. 

Looking forward to our fiftieth!

With every good wish for the festive season

Gabriella and the team

Why Tobermorians?

In 1979 the Robert Bruce Ugly Agency opened its doors as the first to provide representation to New Zealand’s professional actors. When it moved to its permanent home in Grey Lynn, the bungalow was called Tobermory after the town on the Isle of Mull where Robert spent childhood holidays visiting his grandfather, the lighthouse keeper.

It was not long before one of his founding clients coined the term ‘Tobermorians’.