Rodney Marks

Rodney Marks satirises bureaucracy by impersonating experts of either sex and varied ethnicity and occupation. He has professionally performed for hundreds of corporations, government departments, universities and other organisations in Australia and overseas. In his hoaxes, Rodney allows tension to rise as he usurps power by making authoritative, vexatious statements. Then he reveals his identity, to the relief of the audience. He combines a formidable knowledge of management jargon with a relaxed improvisational style and a warm, persuasive personality.

Rodney studied theatre at the University of New England in 1977-79 and worked as an actor, director, academic, management consultant and arts administrator before he became a full-time comedian. Meanwhile he had gained master's degrees in business administration and public administration, the latter from Harvard University in the USA. He returned to Harvard as artist-in- residence in 1995 and hoaxed academics, students and experienced managers.

Here is an excerpt from 'Who's Who in Australia' MARKS, Rodney. Comedian son of: Kevin and Marcelle Marks; born: October 15, 1956, Sydney; married: January 30, 1984 Debra Israel, daughter of: Ron and Rosa Israel; children: 3 sons; educated: North Sydney Boys' High, UNE, AGSM, Harvard University career: creator and presenter of joke-name double-talking characters, over 1,500 performances usually in the form of fraudulent keynote speeches at business meetings; several one-person shows at arts and comedy festivals; two decades as a stand-up comedian at comedy, sports and RSL clubs; characters to date include… Maitre d' - Alf Resco; Engineer - Anton de Mitterand; Computer Scientist - Artur Pfischel; Government Executive - Beau Rocraci; Futurist - Chris Tallein; Marketer - Chucka Brandon; Explosives expert - Dan Gerous; Miner - Doug Macquarie; Publisher - Eddie Torriolle; General A1 Rounder; Detective Inspector Haydn Zich; CEO - Harry Diculus; Financier - Ilya Ford; Gambler - Jacques Podt; Consultant - Matt Ricks; Psychiatrist - Dr Maurie Bund; Banker - Mort Gauge; Scholar - Noel Hedge; Professor of Tangents - Perry Feral; Hotelier - Rob de Guest; Agriculturalist - Sandy Plains; Retailer - Shelley Vhing; Decision guru - Toby Aunot; Mediation leader - Seren Dipitee