Biography
Mark originally trained as a PE and drama teacher before becoming an actor, since which time he has worked extensively in television, theatre and film.
He has just completed a new BBC drama called The Things I Should Have Told You
and a UK tour of Christmas with The Rat Pack
.
Last year he toured in his own show That’s Amoré
; a celebration of Dean Martin based on Dean’s successful TV show for NBC that ran for over 10 years.
This has led to many opportunities for Mark to perform as Dean all over the world. He has played The London Palladium, Royal Albert Hall, Starlight Roof of the Waldorf Astoria, Castell de Peralada festival, Casino Barcelona and headlined on many cruise ships.
Mark starred as Dean Martin in the Olivier nominated show, The Rat Pack – Live From Las Vegas
; first at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, then at the Strand Theatre and then The Savoy. He was invited to Canada to open the show in its North American premier at the Canon Theatre in Toronto. Other recent stage performances are as Jeff Barry in the UK tour of Leader of The Pack
. He played all seven male characters and a eunuch in Nymph Errant
at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester, Emile de Becque in So
uth Pacific
at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. Dino, in Kander and Ebb’s The Rink
at the Leicester Haymarket. Marshall Howe in Eyam
at the Bridewell. David Baxter in Tales My Lover Told Me
at The King’s Head.
He created the leading role of Sam/Alfred in Romance, Romance
at the Gielgud Theatre and Bridewell Theatre, London and was also seen as Mack in Jerry Herman’s Mack and Mabel
at the Piccadilly Theatre. Other work in the West End includes Reuben in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
at the Palladium, Mutiny!
at The Piccadilly and Oliver!
at the London Palladium.
Other theatre work includes Jack Bates in Her Benny
at the Liverpool Empire, Theo in Piaf
at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. Spider’s Web
, A Passage to India
and Pravda
; all at the Redgrave, Farnham. Him, in Jimmie Chinn’s Interior Designs
at the Rose and Dear Mum Love Joe
, his own play, at the Duke’s Head Theatre, Richmond. The Red Knight in Alice Through The Looking Glass
at Theatre Clwyd. Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar
at the Empire, Liverpool. The Narrator in Chaplin, His Life and Music
at the Rai Congressehalle in Amsterdam.
On television, Mark filmed three series of Doctors
for the BBC playing the role of Phil Thompson. Other television includes Holby City
, Eastenders
, American Voices
for the BBC. Brookside
, Manageress 1
and Manageress 2
for Channel 4, Men Behaving Badly
, Insiders
, Roy’s Raiders
, No Frills
; all BBC. London’s Burning
and The Bill
for ITV. Hollywood Sports
for YTV. He has performed with The Ratpack on GMTV
, This Morning
, Saturday Swings
and Des and Mel
. Also he performed at his spiritual home, Upton Park, in front of 38000 fans before West Ham’s semi final play off against Ipswich.
Films include Paracelsus
for Restoration Pictures, The Big Swap
, for Moonlit Films and Jesus Christ Superstar
for The Really Useful Company and Golgotha films.
Mark has recently recorded an album of original songs called Losing Grace
, written with John Hayes in the Conservatorium in The Hague. Other recording work includes original cast albums of The Rat Pack
including a live DVD, Mutiny!
and Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of Oliver!
, Anyone can Whistle
, South Pacific
and a selection of Irving Berlin Songs all on TER records. Also True Romances
written by Mark Bunyan.
Mark played semi-professional soccer for many years and has since qualified as an FA soccer coach.
He has four children and needs to keep working!