Turner Sims Concert Hall
on27th March 1994
For the Maskers Theatre Workshop Appeal Fund
Mark’s association with the Maskers Theatre Company began in 1992, when he was cast as Mozart in Philippa Taylor’s production of Amadeus. He played opposite Karen Upfield, with whom he has since toured extensively as a member of her theatre company, Merlin. In October 1993, he joined the cast of A Small Family Business at the Theatre Royal, Winchester, at very short notice, wearing a series of wigs originally made for Bobby Davro. January 1994 saw him playing Feste in Twelfth Night at the Nuffield, in which he was upstaged nightly by a piece of chiffon. Similar pieces of chiffon may still be purchased for 99p at Etam.
Since graduating from King Alfred’s College in 1981, Mark has undertaken a variety of jobs. One of these consisted of a 1½-year stint at the D.H.S.S. (working there), where he met Kerry Connolly, who has consistently bemoaned the fact that neither she nor the D.H.S.S. have ever appeared in his programme notes. Kerry now manages Southampton’s Tourist Information Centre, and will be happy to advise you as to the relocation of the Post Office. But let’s get back to Mark, shall we? He has taught Drama; spent 5 years as an Actor/Musician all over England (well not all over it); and will willingly advise you where not to stay in Derby.
Although he has now “retired” from professional performance, putting the future of British theatre first, he continues to write music and lyrics at the drop of a feathered chapeau (several of his more scurrilous couplets were heard in the 1992 D’Oyly Carte Production of The Mikado, which was subsequently shown on BBC 2). He is now happy to be working full time at the Mayflower Theatre and would like you to know that the summer show Sweet Lorraine, is a damn good night out. Current pursuits include more work with Maskers, and sorting out a mortgage.
Kirsty graduated from the London College of Music in 1992, and was a Post Graduate at Trinity College in 1993. Her time is now spent teaching piano in London and Hampshire; and as an accompanist she is in great demand for competitions, exams, auditions, and the squalid little entertainment you are about to see. She is also resident church organist at St Mary’s Church in West Kensington.
Tony Lawther
Julia Campone
Ron Tillyer
All the proceeds from tonight’s show are for the Workshop Appeal Fund. Since taking over our new premises in Emsworth Road, Shirley, much work has been done but there is still a lot to do and more money to raise. The Promises Auction held on 18 March realised an encouraging £1,200 towards the £84,000 total appeal! This was the first event actually held in the building. Set construction for Hedda Gabler is now underway in the workshop and rehearsals are taking place in the Rehearsal Room. We’re on our way!