markwright.co.nz

At the pinnacle of his craft, Mark is one of the few actors who can seamlessly transition from portraying an 18-year-old conscript to embodying an 80-year-old veteran, captivating the audience at every turn. 

What a journey it is! At times joyous, at others profoundly moving, and always authentic. Each of his nine characters is beautifully drawn—distinctive and compelling enough to guide us on this theatrical voyage back to the essence of our nationhood.

This production is truly a one-man show, with Mark not only performing but also writing and directing. And what writing it is! Meticulously researched and cohesively stitched together, the dialogue resonates and the narrative skillfully sidesteps sentimentality and clichés, aiming instead for genuine human connection—and hitting the mark perfectly.

Mark’s talent and heart combine to create a rich tapestry of triumph, tragedy, wit, and humanity, shedding light on the complex phenomenon that defined this harrowing campaign.

Sparsely yet precisely staged, the performance is both hilarious and gut-wrenchingly moving. If your ancestry traces back to this conflict and your DNA holds tales of sacrifice, loss, suffering, and heroism, this play is for you.

In just 90 minutes, experience a blend of wisdom and raw emotion that will compel you to reflect not only on our nation’s past but also on the striking truths that remain unchanged. 

 - Peter Feeney 

An outstanding show that you should see, grab your friends and book now

This is an excerpt from Lexie Matheson's review. The full review can be read at https://www.theatreview.org.nz

"Voices from Gallipoli is a deeply nuanced work and at the centre is a performance worth putting all else aside to experience. Mark Wright is quite simply superb."

"Wright’s is a complex work in part because it’s difficult to know who the audience is for such an outstanding show. Who should see it? You should, even if you’re suffering, as I am, from a certain degree of Gallipoli exhaustion.

While it’s about Gallipoli, it’s delivered by an outstanding actor, a man of deep commitment and integrity, whose performance completely transcends his own material.

This is an outstanding show that you should see. Grab all your friends and book now, you certainly won’t be disappointed"

841371 Cpl Matheson AMR, RNZAMC, RNZIR

Voices from Gallipoli is a poignant, amusing and ultimately deeply moving exploration of one of Aotearoa’s defining moments.

Issue date:

Fri 17 Apr 2026

Many of us will have relatives who were involved with and affected by this chapter in the “war to end all wars”. Mark Wright’s highly skilled exploration of a range of characters who were part of the Gallipoli campaign, in World War One, is highly engaging and full of humanity.

We see people of high and low status, an ordinary kiwi bloke, a brazen Aussie, an aristocratic English general, world-weary doctor, a private, and other colourful but always truthful characters. These are people all affected by the situation, with the horror of war often only meters away.

Wright has a flair for inhabiting a wide range of characters, portraying them with depth and complexity. There is a fair amount of wry humour and witty observation, mixed with the brutal reality of being on the front line. There is a great attention to detail and authenticity both in the story telling and the costumes and props.

This is a solo show that needs to be seen by people of all ages, those who know very little of this part of history, and those who recall the stories passed down through the generations. Wright has written, directed and performs this excellent 90-minute show, that is extremely relevant, now more than ever.

Highly recommended and a very welcome addition to range of quality theatrical offerings on now in Auckland. A short season, so book now and bring a relative or friend!

Review by Cameron Rhodes