Mildred Avis Bunnage, later known simply as Bunnage, was the daughter of William and Eveline Ward Bunnage. She attended Manley Park Municipal School and Chorlton Central School in Manchester, where she developed a strong foundation for her future endeavors.
Before pursuing a career in acting, Bunnage worked as a secretary and a nursery teacher. However, she eventually decided to leave these roles behind and follow her passion for the stage.
Bunnage's early professional experience was gained through rep work, and she made her first professional appearance at the Chorlton Rep Theatre in Manchester in 1947. She then went on to make her London debut with the Theatre Workshop Company in 1952, a company with which she would return to numerous times throughout her long and illustrious career.
In addition to her extensive work in London, Bunnage also performed in productions in Zurich, Moscow, and America. Her extensive theatre credits include a wide range of productions, including 'An Enemy of the People', 'The Good Soldier Schweik', 'Mother Courage', 'The Italian Straw Hat', 'Captain Brassbound's Conversation', 'The Playboy of the Western World', 'A Taste of Honey', 'The Hostage', 'Ned Kelly', 'Fings Ain't Wot They Use T'Be', 'Henry VI', 'Fiddler on the Roof', 'Sweeney Todd', 'The Rivals', 'Billy', and the title role in 'The Marie Lloyd Story'.
In her personal life, Bunnage was married to Derek Orchard from 1966 until her passing in 1990.
