Drawing: Jon Jon Briones in Miss Saigon

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Jon Jon Briones

Manila-born Jon Jon Briones was only 22 when he came to London’s Drury Lane in 1989 to be part of the original ensemble of the hit musical MISS SAIGON. Now, twenty-five years later, he has returned in the lead role as the Engineer in the show’s revival which completes its run at the Prince Edward Theatre this month. His is a true ‘rags to riches’ story.

“I had never before spoken English and there I was, living in my own apartment and earning money and appearing on the West End.”

Having played the Engineer in Germany, on the US, Asian and UK tours and in his native Philipines, Los Angeles-based Jon Jon slipped across the Atlantic take on the part for the latest West End engagement, which began in May 2014.

Being part of the original production, Jon Jon worked with the great Jonathan Pryce, who originated the role of the Engineer. “He basically provided the blueprint for all the Engineers to follow” said Jon Jon when asked about his inspiration. “I really love what he did and I was privileged to have watched it take shape,” but he has also added some of his own interpretation. “My take is darker than usual,” he said.

“Growing up in a very poor part of the Philippines, I was constantly confronted with people who struggled through life, people who were completely desperate. As an actor, these first hand experiences have proven to be vital in getting the characters desperation across to the audience every night.”

He’s obviously got the formula right with by the critics and the audience, winning a WhatsOnStage Award and a nomination for an Olivier.

Drawing: Jeff Wayne in The War of the Worlds

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Jeff Wayne

” No one would have believed…” are the opening lines in Jeff Wayne’s musical version of THE WAR OF THE WORLDS. I got the chance to meet the American composer, who conducts the live orchestra on stage, during previews for the West End premiere of the reimagined production about the invasion of the earth by ruthless Martians at London’s Dominion Theatre last week.

The original 1978 concept album became a global music phenomenon. Adapted from English author H.G Wells’ 1897 sci-fi novel, it was one of the first stories to detail a conflict between mankind and an extraterrestrial race. Jeff’s musical reached the Top 10 in 22 countries and in eleven it was number one. It picked up many accolades including two Ivor Novello Awards, whose judges included Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Alfred Hitchcock. In 2009 it was listed as the 39th best-selling album of all time in the UK.

On the original recording, Richard Burton plays the Journalist/Narrator, which I said to Jeff, must have been a great experience. He acknowledged that and said he had been privileged to work with a lot of great people on the project. In an interview Jeff said his first choice for the narrator was always Richard, because “his voice was like a musical instrument.” He wrote to him in 1975 when the legendary actor was playing EQUUS on Broadway and received a call a few days latter. He loved the concept and said “Count me in dear boy”.

When I asked Jeff to sign my sketch I specifically asked if he could please add the Martian war cry “ULLA!” which he was happy to do, “OK, but first I’m going to write something else”, and inscribed Richard Burton’s opening lines from the intro tune, ‘The Eve of the War.’ Very cool.

Drawing: Lisa Batiashvili

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Lisa Batiashvili

The popular Georgian-born violinist Lisa Batiashvili is in demand with all the world’s leading Orchestras. Named ‘Musical America’s’ 2015 Instrumentalist of the Year, she has been artist-in-residence with the New York Philharmonic and the Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich among others.

Last Summer she ‘stole the show’ when the Philadelphia Orchestra played two concerts on the last leg of its European Tour at the Royal Festival Hall. When Lisa joined the distinguished orchestra for Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto, Telegraph critic John Allison described it as “a performance better than any I have ever heard of this work – indeed a performance that must have left many wondering whether they had ever heard the violin quite so mesmerisingly played”.

She returned to the Royal Festival Hall last week with the London Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the SHAKESPEARE 400 series, celebrating the Bard’s influence on four centuries of music and also finding a few moments to sign my sketch.

Drawing: Michael Praed in The White Carnation

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Michael Praed

I first saw Michael Praed on stage at the Comedy Theatre in 1994 in Daphne du Mauriers’s SEPTEMBER TIDE. He starred opposite the late Susannah York in a production that still rates as one of my favourites. I mentioned this to Michael last night in the dimly-lit stage door area of London’s Dominion Theatre where he is in previews for Jeff Wayne’s musical version of THE WAR OF THE WORLDS.

TV viewers will be familiar with Michael as, in the words of Telegraph critic Tim Walker, ‘the once smouldering star’ of the Eighties hits series’ ROBIN OF SHERWOOD and DYNASTY. He has forged a versatile stage career in both musicals and plays.

In 2014 he appeared in the first revival since it’s 1953 premiere of R.C. Sherriff’s supernatural drama THE WHITE CARNATION at London’s Jermyn St Theatre, after a sell-out run at the Finborough Theatre. Walker described his portrayal of John Greenwood, a man everyone thought was dead but suddenly comes back to life, as marking “Michael Praed’s transition from sex symbol to serious stage actor.” Fellow scribe, Dominic Cavendish wrote, “What a neglected little treasure it prove; not life-changing maybe, but life-affecting.”

I drew this sketch of Michael in the ‘ghost’ role and that was the reason I was lurking with a sharpie in the dimly-lit Dominion Theatre stage door area. I didn’t see him leaving after the matinee and he had actually gone past me, but turned to enquire if I wanted something signed. How polite. I must have had ‘that’ look, one that I have been cultivating over many years. Probably helps holding a drawing and a pen. Big clue. Michael has one of the most beautiful sigs, with crafted and distinctive handwriting, as you can see, it’s a piece of artwork itself. I did do another drawing ages ago of him in SEPTEMBER TIDE which I might find and pay another visit to the dimly-lit Dominion Theatre stage door.

Drawing: Michael McIntyre

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Michael McIntyre

Michael McIntyre has become the highest-earning comedian in the world today since his rapid rise from obscurity to prominence after appearing on his first Royal Variety Performance in 2006. Micheal’s 2012 UK Tour covered 71 arena venues performing to over 700,000 people including a record-breaking 10 nights at London’s 02 which elevated him to the world’s biggest selling standup comedian, grossing an estimated £21 million.

Before all the fame and fortune he remembers the tough years spent on the circuit and returns to his roots, with ‘work in progress’ shows to try out new material. He often appears at smaller venues like the Soho Theatre, a place I myself frequent as frequent readers of my blog will testify. Michael’s back there this month for a few practice gigs. However he slips in and out unnoticed and nobody seems to have any info on his movements.

The staff are always helpful, but the bigger names tend to prefer a bit more obscurity at the intimate venue for obvious reasons. I did hang around a couple of times to see if I could catch Michael in person, but that proved fruitless, so left this sketch with the Soho team. For some reason I thought, given Michael’s status, his entourage may forget to pass it on or it would get lost amongst the mountain of fan mail. I expected a long wait for it’s return, if in fact it was ever returned at all or the usual 5×7 pre-printed photo with the standard letter.

But to my surprise and delight, it came back signed, complete with additional comic calligraphy within two days!

Drawing: Billy Connolly in the High Horse Tour, Hammersmith Apollo, London

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Billy Connolly

In 2012 Billy Connolly was diagnosed with prostate cancer, deafness and Parkinson’s disease in the same week. Successful surgery cured the cancer and he now wears a small hearing aid, but the slow moving Parkinson’s will always be with him. ‘It’s like having a wee mugger following you around,” he said in a recent interview. But the Scotsman, considered by many polls to be the greatest standup ever, refuses to let his battle with the debilitating disease stop him as he embarked on his latest HIGH HORSE Tour, which saw him just finish an 11-night run at London’s Hammersmith Apollo. Protracted applause greeted him every night and he responded with, “You’re only doing that coz I’m sick…I can tell the f ***in’ sympathy vote.” The Guardian’s review headline read. ‘Older, frailer but the Big Yin is still the Maestro.”

“When I was a boy I was a Catholic. I paid the fine and got out.” He once said, but he thanked theChurch in his acceptance speech at the National Television Awards last month when he received a special award for his 50 years in the business. “I’d like to thank the Catholic Church for the rhythm method of birth control without which I wouldn’t be here.”
Hopefully it’s not the last time we see him live on stage in London. His health condition may have stopped him playing his beloved banjo, but hasn’t diminished his generosity with fans and ability to sign, which he kindly did so on my sketch after I left it for him at the venue.

Drawing: Eva Noblezanda

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Eva Noblezada

Seventeen year-old unknown North Carolina high school student Eva Noblezanda was plucked from obscurity to play the lead in the West End revival of the musical MISS SAIGON and winning the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
“She’s performed in shows at her school, but she has never done a big professional musical before,” said producer Cameron MacIntosh when he announced Eva would be playing Kim for the much-anticipated run at London’s Prince Edward Theatre, which opened in May 2014. It smashed the world box-office record, taking £4.4 million on the first day of ticket sales.

Apart from her obvious talent, the role is in the blood with Eva’s aunty, Annette Calud also playing Kim in the Broadway production.

MISS SAIGON premiered at the Drury Lane’s Theatre Royal in 1989, running for ten years before transferring to Broadway. Written by LES MISERABLES’ Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boubill, it is loosely based on Puccini’s MADAME BUTTERFLY. Set in 1975, during the final days of the American occupation of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), it tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance between an American G.I. And a Vietnamese bargirl.

The revival finishes at the end of this month and Eva will be reprising the role in the Broadway transfer in the Spring of 2017.

Drawing: Penelope Cruz

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Penelope Cruz

Penelope Cruz wasn’t initially on any guest lists for the ‘fashionable screening’ of the much-anticipated sequel ZOOLANDER 2 at London’s Empire cinema last week. So, I initially didn’t have a sketch or an intention to attend.

That changed when I received a text from a fellow graphee stalker to say Penelope, who plays Interpol’s ‘Global Fashion’ agent, Valentina, was in town and attending. A rapid response was required. This is it. Then a piece of luck to get a good position on the carpet, courtesy of the aforementioned fellow graphee, although Penelope is always very good and signs as many sigs as possible, which included my drawing and a nice dedication.

Drawing: Julian Clary as The Slave of the Ring in Aladdin

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Julian Clary

British comedian and writer Julian Clary spent the festive period playing the ‘Slave of the Ring’ in ALADDIN at the Birmingham Hippodrome, before he embarks on his latest UK tour THE JOY OF MINCING.

Julian’s career began as ‘Leo Hull’, a fake keyboardist for a band called “Thinkman’, before taking to the alternative comedy scene as Gillian Pieface and ‘The Joan Collins Fan Club’ with his pet ‘Fanny the Wonder Dog.’ Joan Collins issued a cease and desist order to prevent Julian using her name, but they starred together in the 2010/11 panto DICK WHITTINGHTON at the Birmingham Hippodrome and have since become good friends.

Julian said he feels very comfortable in the world of pantomime, “I like dressing up and wearing lots of make-up”. He also said he likes forgetting his lines, “It’s good when things go wrong, then I can improvise my way out of the situation.”

I sent this sketch to Julian during the run, which he signed and returned.

Drawing: Stanley Tucci

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Stanley Tucci

There was only a five minute window of opportunity to get the graphs of Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Stanley Tucci when they appeared briefly at the UK Premiere of SPOTLIGHT at the Curzon Cinema in Mayfair recently. The trio raced in with only a few minutes to spare before the film commenced and then had leave with similar haste for other media commitments.

However in that time I managed to get a couple of sketches signed, including Emmy winner and Oscar and Grammy nominated Stanley,who plays attorney Mitchell Garabediau in the film about the Boston Globe’s exposure of child molestation in the local Catholic Archdiocese.