Mark Jefferis facts for kids
Mark Jefferis is a talented British puppeteer. A puppeteer is someone who makes puppets move and seem alive. Mark started his career as a dancer and performer in musical theater shows. In 1988, he joined the team of puppeteers for a famous TV show called Spitting Image. On this show, he made puppets that looked like funny versions, or caricatures, of well-known people, like the Queen Mum and politician Neil Kinnock. After that, Mark worked on many productions involving Muppets and special creatures made in England.
Contents
Mark Jefferis and the Muppets
Mark Jefferis has brought many beloved characters to life. He was a puppeteer for the movie Muppet Treasure Island. He also worked regularly on two children's TV shows. On The Hoobs, he played characters named Hubba Hubba and Groove. For Construction Site, he was the puppeteer for Bozer and Carl. Mark even sang the main songs for both of these shows!
Bringing Creatures to Life
Mark also has experience with special effects characters. He worked with a team called the Creature Shop. For the 2005 movie The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, he helped perform "skin characters." These are like costumes that actors wear to look like creatures. He also worked with "animatronic characters," which are puppets that use electronics and mechanics to move.
Mark's Stage and Screen Acting
Before becoming a full-time puppeteer, Mark Jefferis was a stage actor. He performed in many famous shows in London's West End. The West End is like Broadway in New York City, known for its big theater productions. Some of the shows he was in include West Side Story and the original London production of Chicago.
Early Theater Roles
Mark also toured with musical shows across the country. In 1977, he played the role of Jesus in a tour of Godspell. A year before that, in 1976, he was Benjamin in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He acted alongside other performers like Paul Jones and Louise Gold in these tours.
On-Camera Appearances
Besides theater, Mark has also appeared on television. He had roles in TV shows like Tom Brown's School Days, The Bill, and Casualty. He also played a character named Terry in a show called One Last Chance.
Other Puppeteering Projects
Mark Jefferis has continued to work on many other exciting puppeteering projects. His credits include shows like Fur TV, The Roly Mo Show, and Bunny Town. He also worked on Project Huxley and a special project called Wastebuster, which teaches about recycling and waste.
