Drawing: Frances Ruffelle

Posted on April 5, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Frances Ruffelle’s name must appear near the top of a list of great people in British Musical Theatre.

She originated the role of Eponine in both the West End and Broadway productions of the blockbuster musical Les Misérables, winning the Tony award in 1987. Frances also represented the UK in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing 10th singing Lonely Symphony (We Will Be Free). She also the original Dinah in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s original London production of Starlight Express in 1984 at the age of 16. Frances played the female lead Roxie Hart in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre in London from September 2003 to June 2004. She reprised the role for the show’s 10th anniversary in 2007 and continued in the production into 2008.

Frances returned to the London stage recently to play the deranged but vulnerable mum of London mapmaker Phyllis Pearsall in The A to Z of Mrs P at the Southwark Playhouse where she signed my sketch.

Drawing: Cameron Diaz

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

A dilemma presented itself at the Gala Screening of The Other Woman at London’s Curzon Mayfair this week, when Cameron Diaz walked the carpet. I drew two sketches of her to get ‘graphed. The close up was over worked. The more I worked the 4B, the more it became apparent it just wasn’t to be. You can spend too much time on a drawing and lose your reference. It didn’t seem to me to resemble the subject. Everything was there – the clear eyes, lip shape and dimples, but somehow it was lost in translation, and too static – like a statue.

I quickly sketched another – minimal lines, with more energy in order to capture her ‘being’ and not just an anatomical copy. But, which one to give her to sign? Since, of course, the PAs insist, “only one”. Most people around me loved the close up, more dramatic and it was certainly her. There’s always the fear that the subject will reject. I could present both and let Cameron decide? Too awkward, holding both and filming while the adoring multitude press over the top of you.

In the end I looked at her. She was bouncy, laughing, animated and seemed genuinely happy with the world and where she was in it that balmy Spring evening. So I opted for number 2 because it best represented her at the time. She was happy to sign it and thanked me. Everyone said I should have got the portrait signed. Oh well, maybe next time…

Drawing: Isy Suttie

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Isobel ‘Isy’ Suttie does stand up, acts, writes, sings, composes and plays music. Probably easier to list what she doesn’t do, which isn’t much. She’s won plenty of awards to show that what she does, she does well, including Loaded Magazine’s Funniest Female, British Comedy Awards, Songwriting and Jazz Awards and recently a Gold Radio Academy Award for her radio show Pearl and Dave.

Best known for her role as Dobby in the British TV sitcom Peep Show, she has just finished a season of The A-Z of Mrs P at the Southwark Playhouse in London. She played the title character in a retelling of the myth and even more remarkable reality behind the handy, all-purpose pocket sized A-Z Street Guide of 23,000 Streets. Isy signed this sketch at the theatre.

Drawing: Emma Watson

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Without a doubt, the biggest attraction at Monday’s UK premiere of Darren Aronofsky’s biblical epic Noah was Emma Watson, judging by the volume of ovations when her name was mentioned (several times) and the number of teenage girls in the crowd, of biblical proportions. There was, of course, a sizeable share of male admirers.

As usual Emma signed for as much of the line as her other commitments allowed her, I drew this sketch about a year ago, when Emma had her post-Potter pixie crop, and carried it around but kept missing her at the odd event she attended in London.

She looked genuinely amazed with it, “what a beautiful drawing,” and took time to chat. Judging by the inscription I felt pretty pleased with my day.

Cartoon: Russell Crowe

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

The Gladiator himself Russell Crowe was in fine form at the Noah premiere in Leicester Square yesterday. He spent more time than usual walking amongst the gathered throng.

This cartoon I did for The Southland Times – relating to his failed attempt to get Pope Francis to see the film – brought a smile to his face and the Sharpie to paper.

Drawing: Ian McDiarmid in A Life of Galileo

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Scottish actor Ian McDiarmid’s resumé of rich classical stage roles and critical accolades was elevated into popular culture when he appeared as the Emperor in 1983s Star Wars, Return of the Jedi, and subsequently Senator Palpatine / Darth Sidious in the prequel trilogy.

Ian is currently back on stage in A Life of Galileo, the translation of Bertoit Brecht’s masterpiece by the Royal Shakespeare Company’s writer-in-residence, Mark Ravenhill. The RSC’s production opened last year at Stratford-Upon-Avon before a national tour.

The year is 1609 and the brilliant Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei used the invention of the telescope to discover the ‘eureka moment’ realising the earth orbits the sun. The play’s central focus however it his conflict with the Catholic Church, who denounced him as a heretic and threat to their religious dogma.

Ian signed my sketch at the Rose Theatre, Kingston last week. A Life of Galileo moves to the Arts Theatre in Cambridge this week until 5 April.

Drawing: Freddie Fox and Rupert Everett in The Judas Kiss

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Rupert Everett and Freddie Fox proved an inspired piece of casting in Neil Armfield’s critically received revival of David Hare’s 1998 play The Judas Kiss. The production, about Oscar Wilde’s scandal and disgrace at the hands of his young lover Bosie (Lord Alfred Douglas).

It opened at the Hampstead Theatre in September 2012 before a West End transfer to the Duke of York. Rupert’s portrayal of Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was recognised in the theatre awards, nominated for an Olivier, longlisted in the Evening Standard and winning the WhatsOnStage Best Actor gong – voted by over 60,000 theatre goers. Both Rupert and Freddie signed my sketch at the Duke’s in January 2013.

Drawing: Tracie Bennett in The End of the Rainbow at Trafalgar Studios

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Tracie Bennett is best known for her work in the both dramatic and musical theatre, receiving Olivier Awards for her performances in She Loves Me and Hairspray.

In February 2010 she took on the role of Judy Garland in the months leading up to her death, in the first London production of Peter Quilter’s play The End of the Rainbow at the Trafalgar Studios with critical success. Tracie received an Olivier nomination for her performance. The production transferred to Broadway in March 2012 at the Belasco Theatre with Tracie reprising her role, winning the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Play and a Tony nomination.

Tracie signed this quick sketch of her in the Garland role at the Olivier Awards in Covent Garden in March 2011.

Drawing: Amanda Drew in Parlour Song at the Almeida Theatre

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

British actress Amanda Drew is equally at home in a drama or a comedy or for that matter, on stage or on screen. She’s been seen on the small screen in all the major UK TV shows and is a regular on the London boards. Amanda was playing Judy in Nationals THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT TIME at the Apollo, until the roof collapsed last December. The play will resume in the Gielgud next door from 24 June. I drew Amanda playing the sultry Joy in Jez Butterworth’s PARLOUR SONG at the Almeida Theatre in March 2009. She featured opposite Andrew Lincoln in a story where martial bliss turns into domestic boredom, then a mix of paranoid fantasy, surreal nightmares and dreams of escape follow! Amanda is always very nice to meet and have a chat. She did so on her way into the Duchess theatre in late summer, 2011 for a matinee performance of BUTLEY, signing the sketch in the process.

Drawing: Jenna Russell in Season’s Greetings at the National Theatre

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Olivier-Award winning actress and singer Jenna Russell is currently in the satirical musical URINETOWN, directed by Jamie Lloyd at the St James Theatre in London. This Tony-Award winning Broadway ‘splash’ hit revolves around a city in the future that is inflicted by a terrible drought, where water is like gold. A business tycoon is making a fortune monopolising the public toilets! Jenna who signed this sketch during her run in SEASON’S GREETINGS at the National in 2010, plays Penelope Pennywise and the show runs until 3 May.