I AM MARK

Action-packed with no less than 19 miracles, the book of Mark was written to be shared live with first century audiences, in one sitting.  Aimed at those outside the Jewish faith, the book of Mark has the potential to capture 21st century hearts and minds like no other story.

In this dynamic new, word-for-word, solo performance, directed by Lisa Gilmour, Stefan Smart brings us the story as it was originally narrated. I AM MARK is the resulting full-bodied drama, with its characters and nuances brought startlingly to life.

Because it’s so accessible and involving, I AM MARK has the added advantage of being a great conversation opener.

So sit back, relax, and imagine yourself among Mark’s first audience, as you experience the Good News of Jesus ‘as it was in the beginning’, in all its urgency and power, challenge and comfort.

Quite inspirational and performed with such sensitivity… particularly the way Jesus was depicted: with gentleness, gravitas and quiet authority.

Counsellor
Huntingdon

An awesome performance of Mark.

The Reverend Nigel Mumford
By His Wounds Inc. and The Welcome Home Initiaive

I AM MARK makes the works and words of Jesus more real – a brilliant way to introduce him to your friends and neighbours.

Dr Richard Roberts
Gathering in the Holy Spirit (Rome), USA Charismatic Leaders Fellowship

Go! You don’t have to be religious to appreciate this.

Learning Disabilities Support Worker
Southampton

Fabulous show. Absolutely wonderful.

Alan Gibson, Minister
Motherwell South Parish Church, Edinburgh Fringe 2022

Inspiring…a compelling, intense and emotive delivery that had everyone transfixed from start to finish. As something of an [Edinburgh] Fringe veteran, I can bear witness that this is not always a given.

Richard Purden
Scottish Catholic Observer

The ancient world of Christian scripture suddenly becomes alive in front of you. You hear the emotion of the conversations that Jesus had with those he met and you catch a fresh understanding of his teaching.

Neil Maddock, Director
MARTIS Productions

My church group ABSOLUTELY LOVED it!! Praise the Lord that He can use I AM MARK in this amazing way. I can’t wait to see the next session!

House Church member
Norfolk

Your mini recital [of Chapter 5 of Mark’s Gospel] was lovely. You captured the facial expressions of the demented man brilliantly.

Dame Penelope Wilton DBE
Actor, Downton Abbey & The Second Best Marigold Hotel

Bringing out the passion of when Jesus was shaking things up…you can feel why people wanted to follow him.

Student
Bristol University

An innovative, dramatic, presentation of the scriptures, just as they are – and one that is totally compelling. I have seen it on national television, in the local park and even in India. In every location the impact and effect has been stunning. You cannot imagine how powerful this is until you see it for yourself.

Peter Butt, Director
School of Ministries

Captivating, bringing the Gospel to life. Stefan Smart is clearly a master of his art.

Ian Hayter, Chairman
Lichfield Speakers’ Corner Trust

An outstanding show! Powerful and moving.

Richard Lacey
Lead Pastor, Woodgreen Evangelical Church, Worcester

Were I to attend a similar event in the future, it would be difficult to imagine anything surpassing this.

Nadine
St Nicholas’ Orthodox Church, San Anselmo, California, USA

What a wonderful man, such talent and performing with just that chair…amazing!

Audience member
St James the Great, Colwall

A man, a chair and a compelling story that has survived the test of time. Stefan delivers a mesmerising story of love, friendship, courage and sacrifice.

Mark Hopkins, Lead Pastor
The King’s Church, Arnold

Wow, like really, wow! You have created something really…actually, I don’t have the words yet as I’m still letting the evening soak in.

Neil Edson
Audience member, Farnham Vineyard Church

Many thanks for the inspiring workshop with my Year 10 Drama Class this morning. I hope you enjoyed their response!

Keith Packham
Director of Drama, Malvern College

I really appreciate your courage, love and imagination in making Jesus vibrantly real to me and I’m sure, others. Thank you for your wondrous, life-giving work!

Anon
Audience Member

A great story, and an equally great performance…expect great things!

Tim Jupp
Founder, ‘Big Church Day Out’

Visually, aurally and experientially, this film is absolutely stunning, impacting, entertaining and 100% accessible to a diversity of audiences. I RECOMMEND you watch this and pass the Word around!

Dr Chan Abraham
Leadership International & Revival NOW!

Keep up the good work!

Ched Myers
Activist theologian and author of ‘Binding the Strong Man: A Political Reading of Mark’s Story of Jesus’.

I was just ‘there’. It broke my heart.

Audience member
St Nicholas Church, San Anselmo, California, USA

Intense and fantastic.

Students
St Mary’s School

It made my Easter.

Audience member
Sacred Heart Church, Cumbernauld, Glasgow

A profound and beautiful experience…spoken with passion in unbroken story arc by someone who has so deeply internalized the spirit of the message – positively gripping! 

Bradley Jersak (PhD)
Author of ‘A More Christlike God’

A wonderful and refreshing retelling of Mark’s gospel. A truly inspiring letter to the church beautifully portrayed by Stefan Smart. He doesn’t flinch from being challenging and direct. An ideal resource for our times. Highly recommended.

David Robinson, Artistic Director
Searchlight Theatre Co.

Thank you for your brilliant performance at Kensington Temple! God has blessed you with such a special gift; thank you for not keeping it to yourself, and being willing to share it with the rest of the world!

Angeline Bell
Audience member, Kensington Temple

Extremely moving and very powerful, bringing incredible insights.

School Chaplain
The Independent Schools Christian Alliance

The gift God has given you for making scripture leap to life, and his love you communicate as you tell and retell his story is incredibly powerful and deeply touching.

Theatregoer
Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022

Dynamic storytelling

Church of England Newspaper

Stefan’s presentation of Mark was captivating. It felt urgent and immediate and was crystal clear.

Daniel Goodman
Team Leader, City Church Cambridge

Sometimes it takes a living voice to make you hear the Bible for the first time -a voice that presents some saying or episode not as a stray fragment but as part of the rhythm and pace of a story that goes on gathering momentum. Mark’s gospel has just that kind of momentum, and this performance gives a memorably strong sense of it.

Rowan Williams
Formerly Archbishop of Canterbury

The feedback I have had from pupils and staff about Saturday’s [performance in Chapel] has been very positive.  I think they enjoyed the fact it was different from the normal diet; it was dynamic and it was challenging for them.

David Ibbotson, College Chaplain, Malvern College

Completely captivating…almost mesmerising!

Steve Broadway
Author and Illustrator

The presence of God in that room was unmistakable!

Will Simpson
Edinburgh Festival Fringe

It was such a privilege having Stefan with us in Shrewsbury. He made a great impact on the students – they really enjoyed having him and were challenged by his presentation. The Year 6 RS lesson  afterwards went superbly, and the children responded so well. It was all meant to be!

Revd Alex Aldous
Chaplain, Prestfelde Preparatory School, Shrewesbury

Respect! Stefan’s performance was very strong.

BBC Songs of Praise

This presentation was nothing less than cathartic, embodying the emotions we often struggle with in our biggest challenges. I don’t know if other people have been brought to tears by your performance. But I’m going to assume I’m not the only one.

Olympiada Kane
Mill Valley, California, USA

An impressive feat of the memory and a truly immersive experience. The story of Jesus as you’ve never heard it before.

Emma Fowle
Premier Christianity Magazine

This performance of Mark’s Gospel awakens a new way of hearing and absorbing the words and stories of Jesus. I found myself really engaged and so inspired that it felt like I was encountering the Gospel for the first time. It takes you deeper into the life of Jesus, and is an excellent resource for long time believers as well as those who are on the fringe of faith.

Jenny Baker
National Leader CELEBRATE, UK Catholic Charismatic Renewal
Very moving, bringing me much closer to God through the life and ministry of Jesus.
What an outstanding and awe-inspiring way to hear the Gospel!
Audience members
St Marie RC Cathedral, Sheffield

Using minimal props, I AM MARK brings Mark’s Gospel alive and releases the energy and vitality of his account of Jesus and his ministry. I hope online viewings go through the roof and open up the Gospel to a whole new audience. Congratulations!

Timothy Dakin
Bishop of Winchester

A carefully nuanced, but entirely sincere and believable interpretation of Mark’s breakneck-speed drama, which comforted, surprised and challenged us – just  as it was designed to do for his first readers. I AM MARK will remain long in this congregation’s collective memory. 

Dr Michael Hall
Senior Preacher, Birmingham West and Oldbury Methodist Circuit

Uncle Alec [McCowen] would have been very proud.

Julie Sheldon
Niece to the celebrated actor of The Gospel According to St Mark

From the first word, Stefan captured the gathered listeners’ attention, as the Churches of the region were joined by the general public. Here was a Good Friday event, out in the shopping precinct, that was worth stopping to listen to. Truly memorable!

Danny Stupple, Chair
Churches Together in Eastleigh, Bishopstoke, Fair Oak & Horton Heath

A stunning, dramatic retelling.

Joel Slater, Lead Pastor
7SF Church, San Francisco, CA

A wonderful performance reinforced by some thoughtful and insightful comments in the Q&A. I would happily see it again.

Ian Wigston
Leadership Consultant and Coach, Bright Field Counselling

Stefan’s performance was transportive. So much so that I forgot I was in prison. Of all the things we as prisoners need, this is the most valuable.

Prisoner
HMP Wakefield

What a brilliant idea this is.

Gavin Calver
Evangelical Alliance

I AM MARK shouldn’t be seen as a performance or even as a feat of memory to be marvelled at (all those words!), but as communication filled with love, compassion and power.

Gill Escott
Dance Instructor, Hampshire

A great event. Stefan is very talented – and it is a powerful way to bring the account to life.

Heather Bowden, Headteacher
The King’s School, Fair Oak, Hampshire

Perfect Fringe-fare. A mighty performance!

Patrick Hudson
The Tablet Magazine

You really do have a talent for bringing the Word to life which has obviously been combined with a lot of hard work and attention to detail to deliver a stunning presentation.

Peter Bourton
St Edburg’s Church, Bicester

Gripping, authentic, and deeply moving. 

Chris Brockway
Team Leader, Christchurch Baptist Church

I’ve read Mark at least 40 times and I genuinely experienced it with new, deep and profound joy when Stefan performed it.

Daniel Goodman
Team Leader, City Church Cambridge

Truly an extraordinary night – you really immersed us in the gospel story, prompting new insights, stirring new emotions, expanding our imaginations and I’m sure for many nudging our beliefs, discipleship and learning.  I know for very many (probably all!) there, including me, your performance was extraordinarily poignant and powerful.

Revd Sarah Lloyd
St Mary the Virgin, Shalford

Enthralling! Letting go of intellectual engagement, I got immersed in a dynamic, moment by moment encounter with the Living Jesus. It made all other public reading of Scripture dull and second-hand in comparison.

Canon Marion Syms
Portsmouth Cathedral

One man, a chair – and the gospel of Mark. Captivating and engaging. You could hear a pin drop. See this production if you can, you won’t be disappointed!

Revd. Adrian Diaper
Rickstones Church, Witham, ESSEX

Powerful and engaging…held the audience in Bristol Cathedral stunned.

Canon Neville Boundy
Bristol Cathedral

The lads who attended have not stopped talking about Stefan’s performance and word has spread around the prison about how good it was.

Father Joe Cooper SSC
Anglican Chaplain HMP Ranby

A resounding success.

Jill Brooks
Trinity Methodist Church, East Grinstead

This is not just a performance…it’s a gift of God’s love to all.

Maris O’Brien
Fordingbridge

What a great show. With the aid of a chair, bag and a prayer scarf I was transported back 2000 years. A must see.

Anne Keast
Secondary School Drama and Expressive Arts Teacher and Examiner

Really excellent, and inspirational. The Q&A afterwards was so useful.

School Chaplain
The Independent Schools Christian Alliance

What a fabulous start to Hope Theatre Cafe, Plymouth! Thank you to Stefan Smart for a riveting performance of I AM MARK – which totally brought the gospel to life. This was a truly engaging, interactive performance – Stefan had the audience eating of of his hand (almost literally at one point!) Brilliantly directed by Lisa Gilmour, Stefan’s use of space and the infamous chair are inspiring.

Anne Middleton
Performing Arts Mission

A wonderful presentation. The highlight of our Festival experience!

Theodore Louis Trost
Professor in Religious Studies, The University of Alabama, Edinburgh Fringe 2022

This is one of the darkest places on earth, and what you’ve brought today is light. We badly need the Light.

Prisoner
HMP Ranby (Norfolk)

Outstanding.  Inspirational.  I AM MARK would befit any performance space, even the grandest stage.

Tom Burden
Curate, St Mary’s Church, Fordinbridge

There was a deep hush as the audience were captivated by Stefan’s  enactment of the story. Some of our young people were blown away by his performance. Others, on an Alpha course, were helped to come closer to faith.

Stephen Greasley
Pastor, Gillingham Baptist Church

There was not a murmur in the room as the inmates watched this unique performance.  Several commented afterwards that it had a real impact on them personally.  “Totally different to anything I’ve ever experienced,” said one. “When is he coming back?” was the general cry.

Lesley Mason, Managing Chaplain
HMP Send

In one word…stunning.
The best thing I’ve ever seen in church.

Terry
Audience member, Thundersley, Essex

If you think you already know the story…think again. I AM MARK – Captivating drama. Mesmerising storytelling. Undeniable Truth.

Dan Angus
Solent MIND

A great quality, engaging performance. Our guests found it thought provoking whether or not they had faith in God; many said they “loved it”, “it was amazing” and “it gave me a new way to think about the stories of Jesus”. The Q&A time was particularly powerful and on another occasion we might have allowed even more time for that.

Jo Hemming
SEnior Pastor, Winchester Vineyard Church

Let me highly recommend a different and effective outreach evening with Stefan Smart – his rendition of the gospel of Mark is thought-provoking and in places gripping and moving. As a Pastor or church leader you will not regret bringing the I AM MARK play to your church.

Mark Ryan
Senior Pastor, Kensington Temple

Magnificent! Stefan Smart is a master in the art of biblical storytelling, in a way that is sure to reach seekers and believers alike..He is  trustworthy, as his focus is not just on his art but on communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Archpriest Stephan Meholick
Rector, St. Nicholas Orthodox Church San Anselmo, CA USA

Hugely relevant and powerful.

Steve Lee
Miracle Street

Engaging and intimate. It was thrilling to re-live the miracles and the authority of the Son of God.

David Hewitt
‘Wellsprings’ Community, Edinburgh

I AM MARK brings the story of Jesus to life in a unique and powerful way.

Fergus Scarfe, Regional Director
GOD TV

Possibly the most powerful presentation of the Gospel story I’ve seen in my lifetime.

Audience member
St Gregory’s Church, Glasgow

Magnificent! I’m not just saying that…Magnificent!

Audience member
SAcred Heart Church, Cumbernauld Glasgow

An epic show…an absolute joy.

Guy Pritchard
Senior Leader, Farnham Vineyard Church

A throwback to the travelling evangelists of the early church. This is how the good news should be preached.

Canon Billy Kennedy
President, UK Churches Together

Truly the most beautiful piece I’ve ever seen.

Parishioner, St Gregory the Great Catholic Church
Virginia Beach, USA

Just saw this at the Edinburgh Fringe. What a fantastic job Stefan Smart did. Thoroughly recommend it!

Richard Johnston
Founder of Christian Mindfulness