Welcome Mark, you are our fourth director. I, myself, have been lucky enough to work under the other three directors, Edith , Zillah and Kevin and they all had their different approaches and styles to musicals. From the very early Pantomime with Edith, to the Blockbusters of “Fiddler on the roof”, “South Pacific” and “Oklahoma” with Zillah.
A more modern touch like “guys and dolls” and” Hello Dolly” with Kevin. Mark , last year, you actually wrote the script for the very successful” Broadway on Christmas”, this has not been done before and I would like to ask, where the writing started and have you any other works that have been published?
” It was great fun to put together the Christmas cabaret for Studio 32 last year. I didn’t want it to just be a selection of unconnected songs in a straightforward concert format, so I set about writing script for Father and Mother Christmas, as hosts to link them all together. Luckily, I have a had a bit of practice as I have written four novels, so far.
They are all quirky, light hearted comedies – one a comedy thriller, Death and The Seagull. Three are a series of romantic comedies, the first of which is called The Rye Roof Top Club. The latest one, The Story of Eric, is about changing your life and taking off in a campervan around the UK. They are available in some shops in the UK, but here in Spain you can order them from Amazon! “
Thank you. After visiting the Studio 32 workshop last year, I could not fail to be impressed with the artwork design for the sets that were being built. Have you always designed sets and does your art extend to more commercial fields. It’s rumoured that you have paintings displayed locally, is that so?
“As a theatre director in the UK, I had access to professional sets and designers, but in Spain that is harder. So, here I have to roll up my sleeves and design them myself, but work with a brilliant team of builders and makers from Studio 32 who bring my ideas and sketches to life. When I retired to Spain 6 years ago, I joined art classes at El Estudio in Benijofar, to learn how to paint, and absolutely fell in love with it. I now have a number of my pieces in the El Estudio Gallery.”
Finally, Mark, a little bit about you, I am a Yorkshire lad, born and bred, educated in Wakefield, I believe that you also have some Yorkshire connections in regards to your career in the theatre. I am keen to find out more.
Donald Wilkinson
“I can’t claim to be a Yorkshire lad, like you, Don, I’m afraid. I was born in Sussex on the south coast, then moved up to London for eighteen years working in numerous theatres, then in 2006 I became Executive Producer of Sheffield Theatres, including the world-famous Crucible Theatre.
When I moved there, I didn’t know a soul, but I can honestly say that the people of Sheffield and Yorkshire are the friendliest in the world… so much so, that I married one of them! Does that make me an honorary Yorkshireman?”
Thanks for that Mark, now ,I’m very bias towards my Yorkshire roots, but, as anyone that has the pleasure of working and indeed marrying here, deserves honorary status. I am also curious about the many famous actors that have may have crossed paths with in your illustrious career, but that can wait for my next interview.
