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Local vigneron takes to the stage
July 29th, 2010
After a two-and-a-half year stint of solid work at the winery, Longview Vineyard's Mark Saturno is very much enjoying his return to the stage.
Starring in State Theatre's upcoming production romeo&juliet, Mark is one of just six actors who will be on stage during the performance, each of whom will play multiple characters.
"Shakespeare is one of my favourite playwrights and it is such a privilege to be involved in this production," Mark said.
Despite being an accomplished Shakespearean actor, this will be the first time Mark has performed in Romeo and Juliet.
"Romeo and Juliet has so many layers," Mark said.
"There are the famous lines and famous speeches, but the rest of the text is also really rich and lyrical. I am falling in love with the whole thing - it is easy to understand why it is such a famous piece."
Mark returned to Australia on Australia Day, 2008 after 11 years living and working as an actor in New York.
Mark had his debut performance on Broadway in 2003 and performed both on and off Broadway until 2007. Mark says his favourite role was in a one-man play called I am My Own Wife, in which he played 38 different characters, an experience which he will no doubt draw on for the multiple characters required for romeo&juliet.
"I am My Own Wife was an amazing challenge and it made me feel like I could do anything," Mark said.
Mark has also completed some television and film work, but says it is the live performances which he enjoys most.
"Performing live changes every second," Mark said.
"From audience to audience the whole feel of a character or play can change. During the end of my stint in New York I had a chance to be part of an episode of Law and Order, and it was really good to see those guys and be a part of that action.
"I was always terrified of film and was scared of coming off looking like an idiot with too much expression, but I found you just have to trust yourself and not push too hard. The real buzz I get comes from working live on stage."
Mark's return to the stage is his first since being back in Australia.
"I never thought I would leave New York," Mark said.
"But, once I heard that my parents had moved to Macclesfield, the appeal of coming back to South Australia was much stronger.”
Mark says that Longview Vineyard came on the market at the right time, when he was looking for a change from his acting career.
"This time of year is not too busy at the vineyard," Mark said.
"So I am able to do other projects. Yes, we are bottling our new vintage and getting some whites ready to release in spring, but it is certainly not as manic here as it would be during vintage.”
The next few weeks on stage will certainly be intense for Mark as he performs almost daily from August 6-29.
"romeo&juliet could almost be described as a retrospective where we start at the end with our characters looking over the bodies of Romeo and Juliet,” Mark said.
“From here the play becomes reflective, and as each of our characters embody the star-crossed lovers, it is a chance for the audience to think about the themes and take away the important messages.”
Mark begins the show playing the friar, one of Romeo's best friends and his confidant.
"What does it mean when the friar embodies Romeo and talks about falling in love,” Mark said.
“As a friar he may have had these feelings before, but would certainly never have acted on them. And what does it mean to see Capulet, Juliet's father, put himself into her shoes for the first time.”
For people who have seen Romeo and Juliet before, Mark says they will enjoy the modern interpretation of the piece, while rejoicing in the original text. And for those who haven't seen Romeo and Juliet it is a chance to pick up on the different layers embedded in the play and enjoy the timeless tale.
romeo&juliet will be performed at The Dunstan Playhouse from August 6. Adult tickets are $45 and are available from Bass on 131 246 or via their website at http://www.bass.net.au For more information about romeo&juliet, visit the State Theatre website at http://www.statetheatrecompany.com.au
The New Fortnightly Adelaide Hills Weekender
The New Fortnightly Weekender aims to provide the best print medium for our clients to achieve the maximum exposure for their messages to our readers and their potential clients within our targeted area.
The New Fortnightly Weekender is an independent, innovative, good-news paper serving the Adelaide Hills and Mt Barker council areas. Founded in 1992, the paper is the leader in providing up-to-date, relevant lifestyle content. It seeks to maximise it's appeal and relevance to readers and consumers on behalf of it's advertisters.