Drawing: Greg Jenner, ‘Dead Famous’

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Autographed drawing of public historian Greg Jenner

Greg Jenner’s new book, ‘Dead Famous’ is launched today. The public historian and University of York Alumni is known for his entertaining and engaging communication of history through pop culture and humour. He is the consultant on the HORRIBLE HISTORIES books and TV series and the BAFTA-nominated HORRIBLE HISTORIES: THE MOVE- ROTTEN ROMANS. He also wrote the action-packed bestseller ‘A Million Years in a Day’. Greg is also an Hon Research Associate at Royal Holloway, University of London.

His latest publication, researched and written over the past four years, ‘Dead Famous: An Unexpected History of Celebrity, From Bronze Age to Silver Screen’ is a romp through the story of fame and fanhood. It explores the notion of ‘celebrity’ –which he claims is not a recent phenomenon– from its beginnings 300 years ago to the 1950’s, packed with anecdotes of famed individuals. He insists he’s ‘an historian of celebrity’ and not a ‘celebrity historian’, a term used in his Wikipedia page, which he is uncomfortable about.

Fara Dabhoiwala’s review in The Guardian said, “Jenner is equal parts wide-eyed historical buff and sassy polemist… who can’t help but entertain you, even as he’s pouring facts down your throat.” One chapter is entitled ‘The Fandom Menance’ and he describes Lord Byron as a “talented, pouty shag merchant with lustrous hair,” or Florence Nightingale as a “badass epidemiologist with a perch ant for pie chart innovation.” He even includes one of the Europe’s biggest celebrities, a 5,000 pound Indian rhino called Clara in the 1740’s. Greg’s personal favourite is alcoholic and celebrated Shakespearean actor Edmund Kean, who was nearly murdered by his own audience in the 1820’s.

My wife Frankie, who’s a big fan of Greg’s BBC Sounds podcast YOU’RE DEAD TO ME, and I joined a freshly hand sanitized, pandemic aware audience at the impressive Southwark Cathedral near London Bridge last week to hear Greg deliver an illustrated intro to ‘Dead Famous’ and sign advanced copies… as well as this quick sketch I did of him.

Drawing: Victoria Hamilton in Albion

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Autographed drawing of Victoria Hamilton in Albion at the Almeida Theatre

Victoria Hamilton returned to the Almeida Theatre stage as the formidable matriarch Audrey in the revival of Mike Bartlett’s state-of-the-nation play ALBION last month. Directed by Rupert Gould, it premiered in October 2017. Audrey is a mover and shaker in her mid-50’s who sells up in London to live in a seven-bedroom crumbling estate she knew as a child. She plans to restore it to its former glory, including designing the garden as a memorial to her dead son who lost his life in war and his fellow veterans.

“Victoria Hamilton is on breathtaking form as a grieving mother in richly layered play inspired by Chekhov’s THE CHERRY ORCHARD.” wrote the Guardian’s Michael Billington in his original review.

Victoria has been nominated for two Olivier Awards, the first for her portrayal of Sheila in A DAY IN THE DEATH OF JOE EGG opposite Clive Owen and Eddie Izzard. The production transferred to Broadway, where Victoria was also nominated for a Tony. Her second Oliver nom was for her 2004 role as Catharine in Tennessee William’s SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER at the Lyceum Theatre in London. She won the London Critics’ Circle Theatre and Evening Standard Awards.

TV viewers will be familiar with Victoria as the younger Queen Victoria in the historical drama series, VICTORIA & ALBERT (2001) and as the Queen Mother in Netflix’s THE CROWN, which earned the cast successive Screen Actors Guild Award nominations in 2017 and 2018. She also plays Anna in DOCTOR FOSTER and this year’s COBRA, as the British Prime Minister’s Head of Staff, Anna Maxwell.

Victoria signed my sketch of her as Audrey at the Almeida Theatre on the show’s final day at the end of February.

Drawing: Kaitlyn Dever

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Autographed drawing of actress Kaitlyn Dever

At 23 years of age, American actress Kaitlyn Dever’s career has already past a decade, with 15 films and ten TV shows on her impressive CV, resulting in eight Award nominations, including a Golden Globe and the BAFTA Rising Star Award. Starting in 2009 with her first notable role as Gwen Thompson, a homeless girl in AN AMERICAN GIRL: CHRISSA STANDS STRONG. Two years later she appeared in the Clint Eastwood-directed J.EDGAR.

Three films in the past two years has cemented her reputation as one to watch, playing Lauren in the biographical drama BEAUTIFUL BOY with Timothee Chalamet in 2018, followed by Dilly Picket in the thriller THEM THAT FOLLOW opposite Oscar-winner Olivia Coleman and Amy Antsler in the coming-of-age comedy BOOKSMART last year. Kaitlyn’s small screen successes include her recurring role as no-nonsense teen Loretta McCready in JUSTIFIED between 2011-2015 and as Tim Allen’s daughter Eve Baxter in LAST MAN STANDING since 2011. Last year she was nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of sexual assault victim Marie Adler in the Netflix miniseries UNBELIEVABLE.

Kaitlyn signed my sketch at a British Academy event involving the nominees for the Rising Star Award at London’s Savoy Hotel, the day before this year’s BAFTA ceremony in early February.

Drawing: John Williams, Executive Chef at The Ritz London

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Autographed drawing of Chef John Williams

As the ever enthusiastic gastronaut I was watching the first episode of the ITV’s mini-series INSIDE THE RITZ HOTEL one lazy Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago. It featured the famous Piccadilly Hotel’s venerable Executive Chief John Williams and the launch of The Ritz’s first ever cookbook, compiled by him and containing its most famous signature recipes, including the Roast Scallops Bergamot and Avocado, the Saddle of Lamb Belle Époque and the Grand Marnier Soufflé. The recipes are said to be ‘simple to the seasonal, to the signature and the sublime.’

I thought he would make a great addition to my collection, drawing this quick sketch, I posted it to him for signing. South Shields-born, on England’s North East coast and the son of a Tyneside fisherman, John’s culinary career began peeling spud’s in his mum’s kitchen. He moved to London at the age of 16 and after working at the Royal Garden, Claridges and The Berkeley Hotels he arrived at The Ritz in 2004 as the Executive Chef. Seen by many as the symbol of high society and luxury it is described as one of the best dining experiences you’ll ever have or in my case ever wish to have.

The fortunate diner is spoiled for choice with The Ritz Restaurant, which was awarded it’s first Michelin Star in 2017, the iconic Palm Court, the legendary Rivoli Bar, six private dining suites not to mention room service. It is the recipient of a Royal Warrant for Banqueting and Catering Services from HRH The Prince of Wales-the first and only Hotel to receive the prestigious accolade.

John himself has been personally recognised with numerous awards, including the Pierre Taittinger International prize, known as the ‘Everest of Gastronomy’ and the Craft Guild of Chefs Award in 2000. In 2005 he was the first British Chef to be conferred with the CMA by the French Government for his contribution to French cuisine. He was made a Member of the British Empire in 2008.

His favourite dish? The lobster with lemon verbena, which has had a few variations over the years. It used to be accompanied by a spiced carrot purée, but now it’s served with a vegetable tagliatelle.

As you can see John kindly signed and returned my drawing.

Drawing: Stephen Schwartz

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Autographed drawing of composer Stephen Schwartz

I had the good fortune to meet one of the great contemporary composers and lyricists last night at the West End opening for his new musical THE PRINCE OF EGYPT at London’s Dominion Theatre. Winner of three Academy Awards, three Grammys, and nominated for six Tony Awards and an Olivier, Stephen Schwartz added ten new songs to the original five he wrote for the original 1998 DreamWorks Animation feature for the stage adaption, which is directed by his son Scott. He won the Best Original Song Oscar for ‘When We Believe’.

Stephen made his name with GODSPELL in 1971, his hippy-era, communal-clownish presentation of Christ’s parables and now returns to the Good Book with the story of Moses as a once prince of Egypt who leads the children of Israel out of Egypt. It debuted at Mountain View Centre for the Performing Arts in Silicon Valley, California in October 2017 and had its international premiere at The Fredericia Theatre in Denmark in April 2018, followed by a summer season at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen last year.

Stephen’s stage hits include PIPPIN (1972) and WICKED (2003) and his film successes GODSPELL (1973), POCAHONTAS (1995), THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1996) He won a Golden Globe, a Grammy and two Oscars for Original Score and Original Song (‘Colours of the Wind’) for POCAHONTAS.

In 2015 he was the recipient of the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award.
Luckily I caught Stephen after he did his press interviews at the Dominion Theatre, where he was happy to sign my portrait sketch.

Drawing: George MacKay

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Autographed drawing of actor George MacKay

Since being nominated for BAFTA’s Rising Star Award in 2014, London-born actor George MacKay’s star has certainly been on the rise. He is currently dominating the big screen in one of the best and most decorated pictures of the year, the Sir Sam Mendes directed, co-written ( with Krysty Wilson-Cairns) and produced WW1 epic, 1917. George plays the lead character, Lance Corporal William Schofield, who along with fellow Lance Corporal Tom Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) are given a seemingly impossible mission, to cross no man’s land to deliver a warning to the commanding officer of the Second Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment to call of an attack that will jeopardise the lives of 1,600 men, including Tom’s brother.

Sir Sam based the screenplay on a ‘fragment’ of a story, told to him as a child by his grandfather Alfred Mendes, a native of Trinidad, who was a messenger for the British on the Western Front. At its core it is “the story of a messenger, who has a message to carry”, said Sir Sam. George’s ‘messenger’ very rarely leaves the screen, because of the decision to film and edit the picture to appear as one take – actually two takes, split with a blackout at the midpoint when he is knocked unconscious – he is almost continuously on screen for the entire two hours of the film. 1917 was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning three and nine BAFTAs, winning seven including Best Picture.

It’s not the first war film George has starred in. He was Private Tommo Peaceful in the 2012 adaption of Michael Morpurgo’s PRIVATE PEACEFUL and Lutz, the son of a high-ranking SS officer in Nazi Germany in the rite-of-passage war drama WHERE HANDS TOUCH in 2018. In 2013 he won a Scottish BAFTA for his portrayal of Aaron, an ostracised misfit and sole survivor of a strange fishing accident in FOR THOSE IN PERIL. Other prominent roles included playing Viggo Mortensen’s son, Bodevan Cash in CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (2016), earning a Screen Actors Guild nomination as part of the cast. George won the Trophee Chopard last year at the Cannes Film Festival. His next film role is the outlaw Ned Kelly in Justin Kurzel’s TRUE HISTORY OF THE NED KELLY GANG with Russell Crowe, due for release in the UK at the end of February and the US in April.

He has also walked the boards in the West End, most recently as Mick in the Old Vic’s production of Harold Pinter’s THE CARETAKER (2016), opposite Timothy Spall and Daniel Mays.

George signed my sketch for me at the Corinthia Hotel in London as he was leaving to attend the BAFTA Awards earlier this month.

Drawing: Sara Bareilles in Waitress

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Autographed drawing of Sara Bareilles in Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre on London's West End

In 2015 Sara Bareilles wrote the music and the lyrics for her hit musical WAITRESS, which opened on Broadway a year later at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Based on Adrienne Selly’s 2007 film of the same name, it tells the story of Jenna Hunterson, a pregnant, pie-baking waitress in an abusive relationship with her husband, earning Sara a Tony and Grammy Award nomination. Last year it transferred to London’s Adelphi Theatre where Sara made her West End debut at the end of January this year, stepping into the title role for a six-week run, alongside Olivier and Tony winner Gavin Creel as Dr. Jim Pomatter, after both played their respective roles in the Broadway production last year.

Sara has sold over a million albums and five million singles, receiving eight Grammy Award nominations, eventually winning for her song ‘Saint Honesty’ last year.

Her portrayal as Mary Magdalene in NBC’s live TV adaption of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in 2018, earned her critical acclaim and a Primetime Emmy nomination.

Sara signed my portrait at the Adelphi Theatre’s stage door after her first Saturday evening performance.

Drawing: Thelma Schoonmaker

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Autographed drawing of editor Thelma Schoonmaker

I had the absolute privilege of meeting the legendary editor, Thelma Schoonmaker when she visited London earlier this month for the BAFTA Awards, receiving her eighth nomination for her cutting of Martin Scorsese’s THE IRISHMAN. It’s one of Hollywood’s greatest collaborations, working with Marty for over fifty years, since their first film in WHO’S THAT KNOCKING AT MY DOOR, in 1967, after meeting on a six-week film-making course at New York University.

She made an uncredited contribution to TAXI DRIVER (1976) and has edited all his films after that, including RAGING BULL (1980), THE AVIATOR (2004) and THE DEPARTED (2006), winning an Academy Award for each. She is tied with Michael Kahn with the most nominations (8) for Best Editing in the Academy’s history.

Thelma along with Michael, Daniel Mandell and Ralph Dawson are the only people to win the Oscar on three occasions. She won the BAFTA for GOODFELLAS in 1992 and received the Fellowship last year. Asked how a nice lady like her could edit Martin’s violent gangster pictures, Thelma replied, “Ah, but they aren’t violent until I edit them.”

Thelma signed my quick portrait sketch as she was leaving the Corinthia Hotel for the BAFTA Award ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall.

Drawing: Sandy Powell

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Autgraphed drawing of costume designer Sandy Powell

It’s BAFTA-Oscar week, and one of the awards’ season favourites is British costume designer extraordinaire Sandy Powell, who once again is nominated for both, for her work on the epic crime drama THE IRISHMAN, continuing her collaboration with Martin Scorsese after previously working on THE AVIATOR and GANGS OF NEW YORK.

Sandy has now received 15 nominations for both prestigious prizes, winning three each. Her Oscars were for SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1998), THE AVIATOR (2004) and THE YOUNG VICTORIA (2009) and BAFTAs for VELVET GOLDMINE (1998), THE YOUNG VICTORIA (2009) and THE FAVOURITE (2018). She has received dual Oscar noms twice, in 1999 for SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE and VELVET GOLDMINE and again in 2016 for CINDERELLA and CAROL. On three occasions she has had BAFTA doubles, replicating her Academy success plus last year for THE FAVOURITE and MARY POPPINS RETURNS.

In an interview with the Guardian, when asked who would play her in a biopic, Sandy suggested Eddie Izzard. She was honoured by the London Film Critics’ Circle last week with the Dilys Powell Award for Excellence her career achievements in film at London’s May Fair Hotel, where she signed my sketch.

Drawing: Britt Ekland

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Autographed drawing of actress Britt Ekland

Swedish actress and singer Britt Ekland was one of the most photographed celebrities during the 1970’s and 80’s due to her star status and high profile marriage to English actor and comedian Peter Sellers. She featured in numerous films, most notable THE NIGHT THEY RAIDED MINSKY’S directed by William Friedkin, for which she received critical acclaim playing Rachel Elizabeth Schpitendavel, an innocent Amish girl who arrives in New York intent on becoming a dancer but accidental ‘invents’ striptease. Britt has said it is her favourite film.

Her leading role in the 1971 iconic crime caper GET CARTER, opposite Michael Caine established her as a ‘blonde bombshell’, further enhanced when she was cast three years later as a Bond girl, Mary Goodnight, in THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, the ninth film in the famous British spy franchise.

Britt was a guest on the BBC Radio 4 show LOOSE ENDS, which was recorded at it’s London studio last Friday, where she signed my portrait sketch.