BIG BREAK: Orange actor Mark Furze has realised his dream, landing full-time work in Home and Away. He is pictured here playing the part of Tevye in Kinross Wolaroi’s 2003 production ‘Fiddler on the Roof’.Photo courtesy of Glenn Mickle.
ORANGE actor Mark Furze has realised his dream of 'the big break', landing a major role in the popular television series Home and Away.
Mark, 18, the son of Edward and Sue Furze, is already on set, putting aside his year 12 studies at Kinross Wolaroi for the next three months of solid filming on the popular Seven Network program.
Home and Away publicist Victoria Supple said yesterday Mark was to play a pivotal character in the series with his character name and details to be released at a later date.
"Mark's character will go to air in September," she said.
On Monday night Mark featured as young Joey in the final scene of Ten Network's Jessica mini-series. As the teenage son of Jessica (played by Leeanna Walmsley), he places flowers on his mother's grave.
In the mini-series ironically Mark played the teenage son of Jack, played by Oliver Ackland, however, the two young actors met when Mark starred in the ABC Television series The Outriders in 2000.
It's unlikely Mark had the opportunity to see himself on the small screen in Jessica as he had an early start at 6.30am on Monday, shooting a scene from Home and Away on Palm Beach.
Mark's mother Sue says it was work on The Outriders which was a major turning point. "He said that was the experience that helped him make up his mind that was what he wanted to do."
Mark was in the library at Kinross late last term when he had a call from his Sydney agent telling him he had scored a role in the top rating show.
"It wasn't long before the whole library knew about it. He was so excited that day," she said.
From an early age in the preparatory school his talent for the craft was recognised and he was a regular performer in school plays and productions, taking on the challenging lead role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof last year.
In 1997 Mark played the lead role of Oliver in Orange Theatre Company's production of the same name.
Fellow actors in Oliver, Martin Collett and John Ash, said Mark's talent shone through, even at the age of 11.
"He was always very focused, knew what had to be done and did it extremely well," said Mr Collett.
"What has always impressed me about Mark is his relaxed manner and presence, it all seems so natural to him," said Mr Ash.
Mark has made special arrangements with his school to sit his HSC at the end of the year, during a break in filming.
