“Voices Over the Water”
May 11, 2023
I am delighted to be presenting the new documentary Voices Over the Water at the Director’s Guild of America theatre Saturday evening, May 13th, 2023. Some years ago, I was hired as one of two actors in this film about the Highland clearances and the Scottish diaspora, and I had a wonderful experience working with Guy Perrotta and Jane Ferguson, who have since become good friends. On the 13th, we will hear the Highland Divas, screen the film, and then there will be a Q&A with Time magazine film reviewer Stephanie Zacharek.
Find a trailer of this eye-opening documentary on this page.
“Mackenzie's powerful performance will keep people listening...”
January 5, 2022
I’m delighted to be featured again in an Audiofile Magazine podcast! Thanks to all involved. Click here to listen to the podcast.
“Mackenzie is especially skilled at consistent portrayals of various characters at different stages of their lives--a young child has clearly grown up to become an adult but is still recognizably the same person. ”
November 30, 2021
I am thrilled to have won an Earphones Award for Susanna Kearsley’s The Vanished Days! It was a wonderful book to narrate. One of the fascinating aspects of narrating this book was, for me, the location of the story. I could vividly imagine each scene because Edinburgh is a city I have known almost all my life; a city where I went to school, where I had my first theatre job, and where I chased my nephews around the dark winding stone corridors and steps of The Wynds (which feature in the book). Also, the intertwined intrigues that slowly come together, the unexpected twists and turns in the story, and the colorful characters made this book truly compelling to narrate. Click here for the review.
“ Robert Ian Mackenzie does a wonderful job bringing Bruno and his friends to life. Using authentic-sounding pronunciations of French names, he is particularly strong during the descriptions of Bruno’s meal preparations. He shines at injecting warmth and humanity into his portrayal of the believable and likable Bruno. The result is an enjoyable and often mouthwatering listen.”
I was delighted to be featured in an August 2021 episode of Behind the Mic, a podcast hosted by Jo Reed, in which AudioFile’s editor and founder, Robin Whitten, discusses my narration of Martin Walker’s The Coldest Case. Click here to listen to the podcast.
“I don’t remember any specific event that prompted it. As I wrote it, I began to hear a hymn-like tune in my head that seemed to fit. ”
June 21, 2021
In October 1992 I woke In the middle of the night with these words in my head. I got up, sat down at our dining table with a pen and a piece of paper, and wrote it out. A couple of hours later it was done. Although I was beginning to be really concerned about the world and the environment, I don’t remember any specific event that prompted it. As I wrote it, I began to hear a hymn-like tune in my head that seemed to fit.
There is but one earth to walk on.
Destroy it and there shall be
No future for us or our children,
But we are too blind to see.
As a child if I painted a picture,
I’d colour the sea in blue,
But the children of the future
Will paint it a murky hue.
Our earth can be so fertile,
Our seas and our skies so blue.
If we could live in peace and joy
And curb our passion to destroy,
Then hope would live eternal.
The dark clouds would be swept away,
And we could look to the future,
And enjoy each healthy day.
If we don’t heed nature’s warning,
I think that we shall find,
This earth will no longer support us,
And nature will destroy mankind.
There is but one earth to walk on.
Destroy it and there shall be
No future for us or our children.
Dear God, please make us see.
Copyright Robert Ian Mackenzie, October 1992 (Also published as a song and available upon request.)
“I later learned that three plain-clothed policemen disturbed a robbery in progress. They shot one of the robbers dead and captured the other. ”
June 20, 2021
I wrote this poem in the middle of the night, too. Unlike Our World Anthem, a specific event inspired me. The day before, I had been walking up Seventh Avenue past Carnegie Hall in New York City. Suddenly a whole bunch of uniformed policemen with guns drawn ran straight towards me, jostling me as they went by and almost knocking me over. They ran into a side entrance of the Cineplex movie theater at Carnegie Hall. I later learned that three plain-clothed policemen disturbed a robbery in progress. They shot one of the robbers dead and captured the other. The original title of my poem was Mr. Clinton, Will You Listen, and I sent it to the President but received only a “thank you for your support” pro forma letter. Since then I have sent it to each president under the current title. I also sent it to the Brady organization, now called United Against Gun Violence, giving them permission to use it in their campaign for gun control. So far, I have not received any replies.
Listen, will you listen
Before it’s much too late,
For the children of this country
Are getting in a state.
Instead of playing games
And having lots of fun
They spend their pocket money
And get themselves a gun.
Listen, will you listen?
Our children in the schools
Are killing one another
So won’t you change the rules?
The time for guns is past,
The wild west is won,
Please save our youth and give them life
Now you’re there in Washington.
Listen, won’t you listen?
And make it your pet hobby
To take the weapons off the street
And smash the old gun lobby.
This is your chance to make the world
A better place to be.
The children then will have a chance
To grow like you and me.
Listen, please do listen!
Take actions bold and new
And save a thousand lives or more,
And maybe your life too.
Copyright Robert Ian Mackenzie, January 1993
“A lot of actors, we’re semi-terrified when we walk out onstage...Then suddenly, there’s your cue. You walk out there and you’re in a different world. It’s magical.”
April 14, 2021
While getting the new site together I Googled myself (again… what can I say, I’m an actor!) I was reminded of this article, from the Bucks County Courier Times. Eight years later, all of this rings true, perhaps even more so than when it was written!
“Despite the number of characters, I was never confused as to who was speaking. He didn't overdo the characterization; it was just right. Robert Ian Mackenzie's performance is wonderful throughout...”
April 11, 2020
This article reminds me of a few things.
It’s hard to believe that I’ve narrated this many audiobooks, but it seems that I have. The quote above is from a five-star review of 44 Scotland Street, b
The following clip describes the author’s inspiration for the series:
Click here for more audiobooks.