RIP mark
The 39-year-old star of a Gloucester theatre production collapsed and died yesterday.
But the shocked and saddened cast of Guys and Dolls have vowed the show will go on in his memory. Mark Cooper was starring as Nicely Nicely Johnson in the GODS' (Gloucester Operatic Dramatic Society) production at the New Olympus Theatre on Barton Street.
But close friends of the actor said he would have wanted the production to continue.
Close friend Sarah Payne said he lived for the theatre.
"He has been one of the main characters at the GODS since he was a child and ever since. He was known as "Cherub".
"He was a fantastic guy and he always put 110% into his roles. He did so much for the theatre and people will never forget his Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors.
"Theatre really was his life. He was an incredible extrovert but underneath it all was a very sensitive man. He would do anything for anyone."
Mark, of Kingsholm Road, worked for two years performing for Airtours but stopped through ill health.
"He loved it. He really lived for performing and thrived on it," said Miss Payne.
Andrew Doyle, another of his best friends, who plays Sky Masterson in the show, said his death had come as a great shock.
"I pushed him to do the part of Nicely Nicely because he was umming and aahing but I think he was really glad he did.
"He got the biggest cheer every night. He went out on a high. He was the best director I have worked with. He had a talent for everything connected to the theatre."
Dave Cable, chairman of the GODS, who performed Nathan Detroit alongside him, said performances would never be the same without Mark. But the cast would finish the run of shows for him.
"He was a great guy," he said. "I've known him for a long time and the part he was doing now was made for him.
"The show is now going to be very difficult for everyone."
Sally Holloway, who has played Adelaide in the musical, said: "He was a big guy with a big personality who finished the way he would have wanted to."
Mark, who was also known as "Coops", received rapturous applause after his performances this week.
At his last performance on Thursday night, to a full house, he brought the house down with an encore of Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat.
Miss Payne said: "He came off stage and said, 'That nearly killed me'. But it is the way he would have wanted to go, being in a show."
It is thought that he died from a heart attack after collapsing at work at Sainsbury's in Northgate Street yesterday morning.
He was due to direct a GODS production of Blythe Spirit this summer.
Last night and for today's matinee and evening performance, director Richard Mooney performs the role of Nicely Nicely Johnson.
Mr Doyle said: "The cast will all support Richard and cling together through this.
"Mark was my best friend and was always there for me. He was a loveable rogue.
"He would come round and cook dinner, starting at 6pm and by the time this fantastic but unhealthy four-course meal was served up it was 10pm and we were all legless. He was great fun."
Miss Payne added: "Mark was living life to the full.
He was terrible for drinking games. I will miss him so much."
the paper wrote this bout someone i used to work with!
im sorry its kinda hit me hes gone:(
yeh sorry people
kimmyxx
But the shocked and saddened cast of Guys and Dolls have vowed the show will go on in his memory. Mark Cooper was starring as Nicely Nicely Johnson in the GODS' (Gloucester Operatic Dramatic Society) production at the New Olympus Theatre on Barton Street.
But close friends of the actor said he would have wanted the production to continue.
Close friend Sarah Payne said he lived for the theatre.
"He has been one of the main characters at the GODS since he was a child and ever since. He was known as "Cherub".
"He was a fantastic guy and he always put 110% into his roles. He did so much for the theatre and people will never forget his Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors.
"Theatre really was his life. He was an incredible extrovert but underneath it all was a very sensitive man. He would do anything for anyone."
Mark, of Kingsholm Road, worked for two years performing for Airtours but stopped through ill health.
"He loved it. He really lived for performing and thrived on it," said Miss Payne.
Andrew Doyle, another of his best friends, who plays Sky Masterson in the show, said his death had come as a great shock.
"I pushed him to do the part of Nicely Nicely because he was umming and aahing but I think he was really glad he did.
"He got the biggest cheer every night. He went out on a high. He was the best director I have worked with. He had a talent for everything connected to the theatre."
Dave Cable, chairman of the GODS, who performed Nathan Detroit alongside him, said performances would never be the same without Mark. But the cast would finish the run of shows for him.
"He was a great guy," he said. "I've known him for a long time and the part he was doing now was made for him.
"The show is now going to be very difficult for everyone."
Sally Holloway, who has played Adelaide in the musical, said: "He was a big guy with a big personality who finished the way he would have wanted to."
Mark, who was also known as "Coops", received rapturous applause after his performances this week.
At his last performance on Thursday night, to a full house, he brought the house down with an encore of Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat.
Miss Payne said: "He came off stage and said, 'That nearly killed me'. But it is the way he would have wanted to go, being in a show."
It is thought that he died from a heart attack after collapsing at work at Sainsbury's in Northgate Street yesterday morning.
He was due to direct a GODS production of Blythe Spirit this summer.
Last night and for today's matinee and evening performance, director Richard Mooney performs the role of Nicely Nicely Johnson.
Mr Doyle said: "The cast will all support Richard and cling together through this.
"Mark was my best friend and was always there for me. He was a loveable rogue.
"He would come round and cook dinner, starting at 6pm and by the time this fantastic but unhealthy four-course meal was served up it was 10pm and we were all legless. He was great fun."
Miss Payne added: "Mark was living life to the full.
He was terrible for drinking games. I will miss him so much."
the paper wrote this bout someone i used to work with!
im sorry its kinda hit me hes gone:(
yeh sorry people
kimmyxx