About Mark Winter / Chicane

Cartoonist. Artist. Illustrator. Oh, and autograph hunter.

Drawing: Lily James in Romeo and Juliet

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Lily James

Young English actress Lily James’s star continues its meteoric rise with the title role in Shakespeare’s tragic tale of young star-crossed lovers, ROMEO AND JULIET as part of Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s Plays at the Garrick season in London.

Already well known for her roles are Lady Rose Aldridge in ITV’s period drama DOWNTON ABBEY, for which she and the ensemble cast have won two Screen Actors Guild Awards and this year’s BBC drama series WAR & PEACE, Lily is no stranger to the stage. After graduating from London’s The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2010 she quickly appeared in a variety of prominent plays, including the modern version of Chekhov’s THE SEAGULL at the Southwark Playhouse and as Desdemona in OTHELLO alongside Dominic West at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The Daily Mail’s Quentin Lett’s wrote “…she practically sweeps all before her as Desdemona, poise, diction, allure – she has them all.”

I managed to position myself in a good place at the Garrick’s stage door barriers after the first night performance last Thursday, where initially two security officers were in attendance and soon joined by a third after he had finished his duties at Kit Harington‘s meet-and-greet one street over at the Duke of York’s. Obviously they were anticipating a large gathering and that proved to be the case. Eventually, both Lily and her ‘Romeo’, Richard Madden, who was also her Prince Kit in Disney’s 2015 live-action version of CINDERELLA appeared and Lily signed and dedicated this sketch for me.

A few cartoons on high-performance sport

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

… I mean, performing high sport

Rumours Lack Substance Substance on Corruption Pill Gotten Gains

Drawing: Jesse Eisenberg in The Spoils

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Jesse Eisenberg

Eight hours. 8 long hours. Written in words or numerically, either way it still spells out a l-o-n-g time to wait for an autograph. Actually it was 8 hours and a few minutes, waiting to get my sketch of the BAFTA, Golden Globe and Oscar nominated Hollywood star Jesse Eisenberg signed. But I did. It’s not my usual practice and not one I hope to make a habit of. Jesse is in London to make his West End debut as the dope-smoking, entitled, living of his wealthy parents, narcissistic bully Ben in the tragicomedy THE SPOILS, which he wrote and had its world premiere at the Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre in New York’s Pershing Square Signature Center last summer.

“Engrossingly acted, impeccably staged,” wrote the New York Times.

The off Broadway transfer to London’s Trafalgar Studios starts on 27 May for a three month run. It’s Jesse’s third play, all of which have stated life on the off-Broadway boards.

We – a handful of fellow collectors – found out where he was rehearsing and duly waited nearby. But Jesse had to interrupt his rehearsals to fly to Cannes to do press for his latest film CAFE SOCIETY directed by Woody Allen. Then zap back to London. We thought he was already in the building and would finish at the customary time. That plan disappeared when he actually arrived at five and quickly slipped in without us having time to catch him.

One gets to a point in this business when one has invested time that one does not want to waste by ditching the mission. In other words it would be a waste of time if you didn’t stay to get the graph. But eight hours is a long investment. Thankfully it was a nice sunny day even though the pollen count was eight times higher than normal. It’s a recurring theme. SPOILS Sketch, sneezing and sharpie at the ready.

All was forgotten, well nearly all when we finally met meet Jesse. He thanked us for turning up and waiting. Truly one of the nicest in the business and he really liked the drawing, which is always a bonus.

Drawing: Stan Smith

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Stan Smith

Former World Number One American tennis player Stan Smith was a special guest at last years World Tour Finals at London’s 02 because Group A was named after him in honour of his victory in the inaugural 1970 year-end Grand Prix in Tokyo.

Stan won two Grand Slams, The US Open in 1971 and Wimbledon the following year. He also formed a formidable doubles combination with Bob Lutz, winning five Grand Slam titles.

While I was waiting at the players’ entrance at the O2, I saw Stan arrive. I literally had less than three minutes to sketch this drawing of him, based on an enlarged image on the wall in the fan zone. By the time he reached me I managed to get this much done, which he signed for me before he went in to watch the day’s proceedings.

Drawing: David Benson and Alice McCarthy in Boris: World King

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Boris World King

Boris Johnson’s eight year term as London’s Mayor ended last week, but at the Trafalgar Studios he has assumed the mantle, ‘World King”… well at least for 80 minutes, (no interval) in the smash hit play, BORIS: WORLD KING.

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is one of the most controversial figures in British politics and journalism, ideal for a bit of satire. After a sell out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the production relocated for a four-week transfer at the West End venue. Impressions master David Benson plays the bumbling Boris and Alice McCarthy is his long-suffering assistant Helen.

“Buffoonery conceals the dark heart of the London mayor in Tom Crawshaw’s mischievous and unsettling Boris-bio,” wrote Stewart Pringle in his four-star review for the The Stage.

David and Alice signed my sketch at the Trafalgar Studios last week. The play finished on Saturday. Boris may last a little longer.

Drawing: Jennifer Lawrence

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Jennifer Lawrence braved the showers in London last night at the premiere of the latest instalment of Marvel’s superhero franchise X-MEN, subtitled APOCALYPSE global fan screening at the BFI IMAX. One of the warmest days so far this year turned decidedly damp as the heavens opened, pouring its contents onto the appropriately blue carpet (or as I dubbed it ‘apocalypse azure’). J-Law plays the deadly blue-tinged mutant and femme fatale Mystique, whose powers of shapeshifting enable her to take on many aliases, including Raven Darkholme.

Hollywood’s highest paid actress who won the Best Actress Oscar in 2012 for SILVER LININGS PAYBOOK dazzled in her silver, cutout Dior gown and even provided her customary stumble as she scarpered in her platform heels to avoid the deluge. Twitter likened her sartorial elegance to the signature Marilyn Monroe look.

But it was Jennifer’s signature I was after and the constant precipitation was not helpful as she dodged the drops to quickly do the entire line with a gold pen – the member of the sharpie clan I think should be banished – that was fast losing its effectiveness in the rain. I held the drawing under plastic until the last possible moment and she to the last possible moment and get her characteristic monogram on it. I like to think she took a split second longer than she took on everyone else’s items to sign my sketch, which is nice but adds another zillion raindrops to the rendering. A golden end to a blue evening.

Drawing: Natalie Weiss

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Natalie Weiss

After her five star sell-out shows at London’s St James Theatre two years ago, acclaimed American musical performer Natalie Weiss returned to the England capital’s Leicester Square Theatre with an “utterly winning” performance a couple of Sundays ago. The former American Idol semi-finalist has appeared in a variety of musical productions, including WICKED and has just completed a run as Candy in the US premiere of the new version of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival. She is, however best known for her hit YouTube series BREAKING DOWN THE RIFFS which have attracted over 3 million viewers. Natalie’s London show was the final one on her recent European tour and the one where she signed this sketch.

Drawing: Stacey Kent

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Stacey Kent

“She has charm to burn, a smile that could give you hope in February and sings like nobody’s business,” wrote the Wall Street Journal about Grammy-nominated American jazz singer Stacey Kent.

After graduating from New York’s Sarah Lawrence College Stacy moved to the UK to study at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She began her professional career singing regularly at Cafe Boheme in Soho for a few years before moving across the road to Ronnie Scott’s nightclub and opening for established jazz acts.

Stacey’s first studio album CLOSE YOUR EYES was released in 1997. Ten more have followed plus numerous singles and compilations, including three with her husband, British saxophonist Jim Tomlinson. Their album THE LYRIC (2006) won Album of the Year at the BBC Jazz Awards. Stacey herself has collected two Individual Awards for Best Vocalist and her BREAKFAST ON THE MORNING TRAM album was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Stacey’s popularity is global, especially in Germany and France with sales of her albums consistently attaining Platinum and Gold status. In 2009 she was decorated with the ‘Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ by the French Government in recognition of her contribution to the arts.

Stacy has also added the movie medium to her repertoire, appearing in Ian McKellen’s 1995 film version of RICHARD III, singing a jazz version of Christopher Marlowe’s poem, ‘The Passionate Shepherd to his Love.’

She returned to London’s Leicester Square Theatre for one evening last month, featuring music from her new album TENDERLY, where she signed this drawing for me.

Drawing: Ding Junhui

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Ding Junhui

Chinese snooker star Ding Junhui became the first Asian player to reach the final of the World Snooker Championships at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield last week. The former world number 1 had slipped outside the world’s top 16 and had to qualify for the tournament’s main drew. He won his three matches, conceding only seven frames and then went on to win all his matches to play Mark Selby, losing 18-14 in a thrilling finale. Ding became the first qualifier to reach the final since Judd Trump in 2011. Nicknamed ‘Enter the Dragon’ the final attracted an television audience of over 42 million in his home country. The most successful Asian professional snooker player in the history of the sport has scored over 400 century breaks, securing the maximum 147 on six occasions. When beating Alan McManus in the semi-final, Ding set a new record for the highest number of century breaks made by a single player at the Crucible.

I sent this drawing to Ding at the Crucible and he kindly signed it for me.

Drawing: Sarah Lamb

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

sarah lamb

In early 2015 I drew American ballerina Sarah Lamb in the title role of Christopher Wheeldon’s Royal Ballet production of ALICE IN WONDERLAND, which she kindly signed and I duly posted on this site. Sarah was born in Boston and became Principal of the City’s Ballet company in 2003. She received the Gold Medal from US President Bill Clinton in 1998, being named Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Sarah moved to London and joined the Royal Ballet because it ” offered more visibility and a wider repertoire.” After becoming First Soloist in 2004 she become Principal two years later with leading roles in all the classical, dramatic and contemporary repertoires.

I drew this montage at the same time I did the initial sketch and dropped it into the Royal Opera House, which she also signed and returned to me.

Sarah is currently performing at Covent Garden in the World Premiere of Liam Scarlett’s FRANKENSTEIN, inspired by Mary Shelley’s Gothic masterpiece.