Drawing: Tessa Peake-Jones

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Tessa Peake-Jones

If you think that Tessa Peake-Jones’ face is familiar, that’s because the popular English actress has appeared in every major TV show over the past twenty years, including
DR WHO, CASULTY, MIDSOMER MURDERS, THE BILL, HOLBY CITY, POPPY SHAKESPEARE and HEATBEAT. However, her most notable role was the bubbly Rachel Turner, Del Boy’s longtime ‘significant other’ in ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES from 1988 until it ended in 2003. At it’s peak the iconic sitcom attracted 24 million viewers. She is currently on the small screen as the crotchety housekeeper with a heart of gold, Mrs Maguire in ITV’s GRANTCHESTER.

Tessa’s equally impressive stage career has seen her in a variety of plays in London and beyond. She has just finished playing Julie who operates an ice-cream van near Beachy Head in the World Premiere of Tabitha Mortibiy’s BEACONS at the Park Theatre in North London. She described it as a “It’s a sweet story about loneliness”.

I drew this sketch of Tessa from two London productions, HOME at the Arcola Theatre in 2013 and PARK AVENUE CAT at the Arts Theatre in 2011, which she signed with a lovely dedication for me during her run at the Park.

Drawing: Abigail’s Party

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Abigail's Party

Mike Leigh‘s classic portrait of 1970’s suburbia ABIGAIL’S PARTY had its London revival at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2012 before transferring to the Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End.

Directed by Lindsay Posner it featured a wonderful cast, with Jill Halfpenny as Beverley, Natalie Casey as Angela, Susannah Harker as Sue, Andy Nyman as Laurence and Joe Absolom as Tony. Normally trying to get a drawing signed by a biggish cast can take more than one attempt. On this occasion it was textbook. A balmy Saturday June evening with only a few well-behaved admirers at the stage door as each of the cast filled out just after final curtain at five minute intervals and happily signed this sketch for me. If only they were all like that.

Sketch: My Night WIth Reg, Apollo Theatre starring Matt Bardock, Julian Ovenden, Geoffrey Streatfeild, Lewis Reeves, Richard Cant and Jonathan Broadbent

Posted on March 14, 2015 by Mark Winter / Chicane

My Night with Reg

In her five star review, The Evening Standard’s Fiona Mountford said “British drama doesn’t get better than this.”

Following a sell out season at London’s Donmar Warehouse, Kevin Elyot’s 1994 modern classic, My Night With Reg transferred to the Apollo Theatre for a strictly limited run in January this year.

Robert Hasties’s exquisite 20th anniversary revival will make you laugh and cry, Dominic Cavendish said, “it’s the truest, funniest and most searing play to be found anywhere on the London stage.”

Set in London in the 1980s, it follows a group of gay friends over several years, through the highs and low of their friendship amid the escalating AIDS crisis. The action takes place over three scenes in Guy’s London apartment.

The much discussed ‘Reg’ is conspicuously absent through the play, but is seemingly sleeping with all Guy’s close friends. As Cavendish puts it, he’s, “as pivotal as he is promiscuous”.

The first Act’s comedy as three university pals reunite for a house warming, gives way to emotion and tragedy as the AIDS crisis casts it shadow over the group.

Mountford described the cast as “unbeatable sextet of performances, so sublime,” referring to Matt Bardock (Benny) Julian Ovenden (John) Geoffrey Streatfeild (Daniel) Lewis Reeves (Eric), Richard Cant (Bernie) and Jonathan Broadbent (Guy).

On its premiere Reg won both Olivier and Evening Standard Awards. This production has been nominated for Best Revival in the 2015 Olivier nominations.

I left this sketch at the theatre and it was returned signed by all the cast except Julian, so I waited at the stage door to complete the set in person.

I thanked Richard as I told him of the missing ‘graph. He quipped, “there’s always one”. But it’s the one I got as Julian was more than happy to complete the sextet of sigs.

Drawing: Natalie Casey in 9 to 5

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Natalie Casey was three when she recorded the single ‘Chick, Chick, Chick’, which reached number 72 on the UK charts, making her the youngest person to do so. She appeared on the BBC and asked Boy George to take her to the toilet!

But, Natalie is probably better known for her long-running roles in the TV series Hollyoaks (from 1995-2000) and playing Donna Henshaw in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (2001-2011).

I met Natalie at Wyndham’s Theatre in 2012 after a performance in the revival of Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party. She was really friendly and great to talk to. She signed this sketch at The Mayflower Theatre in Southampton during the UK Tour of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 in May last year.