Mark Curry
Mark Curry is a well known television presenter, broadcaster and actor, who has been seen and heard in a wide variety of shows on TV, radio and stage since 1969.
Mark gives excellent talks ‘pre-Wimbledon’ to get everyone in the mood for the annual 2 week tennis tournament, and he is particularly knowledgeable on the women’s game and its history.
“YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY BABY” – this talk recounts the ups and downs, of women’s tennis, goes behind the scenes in women’s pro-tennis and tells of the birth of the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association).
“WOMEN OF WIMBLEDON” – this talk focuses on the talents of women players at Wimbledon, when Mark discusses the history of the women’s game and world champions with fascinating stories about our favour tennis heroines.
Mark is a popular speaker and is often asked back again to talk about his career in television and on the stage.
Here are his other talks:
“HERE’S ONE WE MADE EARLIER”
Blue Peter began in 1958 and has become the longest running and m
ost famous children’s television programme in the world.
This talk tells the story of how the show began and how it became such an integral part of our childhood. Featuring images and footage, we meet the legendary presenters who were lucky enough to become part of television history by wearing that famous Blue Peter badge.
There have been some classic TV Gold moments over the years and this talk features the adventures they all had and looks back at the incredibly successful Blue Peter appeals, the brave exploits of the presenters and even the things that went wrong!.
“BEYOND THE RAINBOW”
How the legendary screen villainess, “THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST”, (from the classic film “The Wizard of Oz”), became the subject of one o the most successful stage musicals of all time… the phenomenon which is…”WICKED”.
This talk tells the story of how, “Wicked”, was created. We hear from the composer and lyricist, Stephen Schwartz and the designers and choreographers of the show, as they talk about the trials and tribulations of staging a multi million dollar show. We go behind the scenes, taking a close up look at the fantastic costumes and the spectacular scenery and we experience what it is like to be backstage before“ curtain up”.
Mark Curry has played, “The Wizard”, in the West End twice.in 2016 to 2017 and again from 2022 to 2024…his knowledge and experience of this legendary and award winning stage hit adds the personal touch to the talk, which features images and clips from the show.
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Mark began his career in Yorkshire TV’s “Junior Showtime” and he was cast as The Producer in Alan Parker’s classic film “Bugsy Malone”. He presented many television programmes including “Blue Peter” (where he stayed for 4 years) and co-presented “Record Breakers”.
His love of food led him to present “Taste Today” for the Carlton Food Network and Taste TV, hosting both the daily live shows, and reporting worldwide. He presented the furniture makeover programme “Change That” for BBC 1 and he even had a spell hosting the ITV games show “Catchphrase” as well as many more programmes.
He has performed in many theatres in the UK. His stage work includes comedy, drama, musicals and pantomime and includes West end roles in “Wicked” where he played The Wizard, & “Woman In Black” and national tours of “Billy Liar”, “Charlie’s Aunt”, “Noises Off & “Far From The Madding Crowd” to name just a few.
To say that Mark is a keen tennis fan is an understatement. He has used his love and knowledge of tennis to become a member of the Radio 5 Wimbledon commentary team and to be the Master of Ceremonies at professional tournaments, (including the annual Aegon Classic tennis tournament prior to Wimbledon) introducing and interviewing star players past and present. He loves both playing and commentating, and he is a qualified tennis coach.
He cares passionately about the game and finding the British players of the future. He grew up in a mining village in West Yorkshire where tennis was a foreign word, but had someone been around to notice him obsessively smacking an old ball against a wall until sundown, the game could have been his life.
- Mark Curry was an absolute triumph and the lunch club members thoroughly enjoyed his talk as did I. He was also a real pleasure to work with and showed great enthusiasm. We hope to get him back again sometime. The Langham Hotel Eastbourne
- Mark’s presentation on the Women of Wimbledon wass very interesting and informattive. I especailly liked seeing the ladies in all their different styles of dress. Hard to believe that they played wearing corsets! When he addresses the audience, it feels that he is speaking directly to you, and he holds your attention for the whole presentation. Well done. Lunch attendee
- “The ladies were all raving about Mark’s talk!” Coworth Park
