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

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

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.

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! 

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

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

It made my Easter.

A profoundly moving experience. You didn’t just ‘tell’ the gospel, you ‘preached’ it. An older wiser mentor once said to me that “a sermon prepared in the mind speaks to the mind, but only a sermon prepared in the heart will ever speak to people’s hearts”. I believe that this is what you did the other night.

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

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.

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

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

Intense and fantastic.

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

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.

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.

An outstanding show! Powerful and moving.

The word ‘performance’ is not enough to commend this embodied story telling.

Dynamic storytelling

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.

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.

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

What a brilliant idea this is.

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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

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

Uncle Alec [McCowen] would have been very proud.

Hugely relevant and powerful.

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!

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

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.

Keep up the good work!

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

The embodied storytelling of Stefan Smart made time fly and the word of the Gospel come to life!

Respect! Stefan’s performance was very strong.

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

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

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.

An awesome performance of Mark.

A fresh exposure to a believable report of true history by a consumate story teller.

The passion of the story sneaks up on you,  as emotions are provoked through this wholly engaging work.

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

Stefan’s powerful performance of I Am Mark really brought the gospel to life and allowed our pupils to engage with this eye witness account of Jesus on an entirely different level. The passion scenes were astonishingly moving and brought home Jesus’ incredible sacrifice for humanity. I would thoroughly recommend this performance to schools, particularly if their pupils are studying Mark’s Gospel for GCSE Religious Studies.

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

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

Perfect Fringe-fare. A mighty performance!

An epic show…an absolute joy.

Extremely moving and very powerful, bringing incredible insights.

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.

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.

A wonderful presentation. The highlight of our Festival experience!

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.

The presence of God in that room was unmistakable!

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.

Completely captivating…almost mesmerising!

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!

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.

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

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.

Thank you for the blessing of your sharing I AM MARK. From initial enquiry through to delivery, God’s grace, love and Good News have mediated through you. Thank you for making everything so seamless and easy.

I would recommend you and I AM MARK to anyone without hesitation – people have spoken movingly of what they received through your performance and production. It was our privilege to welcome you and share with you.

Stefan succeeds in making that chair play every other character in the Gospel of Mark! Amazing!!!

A resounding success.

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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

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. 

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.

Gripping, authentic, and deeply moving. 

Fabulous show. Absolutely wonderful.

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

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

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

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.

Truly the most beautiful piece I’ve ever seen.

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

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.

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.

A stunning, dramatic retelling.

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