Sketch: Shazia Mirza

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Shazia Mirza

International award-winning British-Asian, Muslim, comedian, actor and writer Shazia Mirza used to be a secondary school science teacher (she taught rapper Dizzee Rascal) before taking on a career in stand up. She gained notoriety in the months after the September 11 2001 attacks and the resulting Islamophobia, beginning her shows with the deadpan remark, “my name is Shazia Mirza – at least that’s what it says on my pilot’s license”.

In April 2007 she presented a documentary on BBC3 entitled, “F*** Off, I’m a Hairy Woman.” The Observer listed her as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy. She has been a regular columnist for The Guardian since 2004 and began writing fortnightly columns in the New Statesman, winning Columnist of the Year 2008 at the prestigious PPA Awards, to go with her numerous comedy awards.

In his list of the 50 best jokes of the noughties, The Telegraph’s Dominic Cavendish included two of Shazia’s quotes: “Men who blow themselves up are promised 72 virgins in paradise. That’s a high price to pay for a shag. In real life you’d be hard pushed to find one virgin. It begs the question – what on earth do they all look like? That’s a lot of hairy women”

and

“The only way Heather Mills can redeem herself now is to find Madeleine McCann.”

According to her website, “she hopes one day to have a cleaner and a jacuzzi.”

Shazia signed my sketch at the WOW – Women of the World Festival at the Royal Festival Hall in London earlier this month.

Sketch: Caitlin Moran

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Caitlin Moran

English broadcaster and writer Caitlin Moran is the bestselling author of How To Be A Woman. She’s an award winning columnist and critic for The Times in London and was named the Observer’s Young Reporter of the Year aged 15.

Caitlin’s upbringing in Wolverhampton inspired her TV drama comedy series Raised By Wolves, which she wrote with her sister Caroline. The main character is Germaine – a “gobby, vaginally-focussed, horny, 16 year old extrovert”.

I met Caitlin at the stage door (or as they call it, The Artist’s Entrance) of the Royal Festival Hall last week when she joined Bridget Christie and Shazia Mirza as the “Three titans of comedy and thinking” for the WOW – Women of the World Festival and she signed my sketch.

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.

Sketch: Kim Noble in You’re Not Alone at the Soho Theatre

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Kim Noble

Kim Noble has been labelled an eccentric genius. The BAFTA nominated performance artist and comedian won the 2000 Perrier Award. In his latest show You’re Not Alone, which finished at the Soho Theatre last week, he tries to get close to other people – one man’s attempts at connection, friendship and employment at B&Q, an escape from the loneliness of modern society.

Theatre critic Henry Hitchings summed up Kim’s latest show as “Noble’s approach is twisted and unpredictable… the result is a warped, ingenious and deeply uncomfortable 65 minutes.”

You’re Not Alone previewed at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, receiving rave reviews and winning a total theatre Award and nominated for 2 Chortle Awards.

Veronica Lee, the Arts Desk reviewer said, “The Soho Theatre’s lawyer was in the night I saw Kim Noble’s new show, and that’s not surprise as it pushes a few boundaries – public decency and legality being just two.”

“The lighter Kim manages to derive comes from shock rather than slapstick,” said Rebecca Jones. (A Younger Theatre)

His approach to making friends is “unorthodox shading into the unethical” said Alice Jones in The Independent. He records his neighbours sex lives, poses as sexting “Sarah” as he chats up boys on Facebook, defecates in a church, becomes obsessed with Keith on the checkout at Morrison’s…

The Times simply said, “utterly compelling” and The Telegraph “one of the most hypnotically involving pieces of theatre I’ve ever seen”.

I met Kim just before his last performance at the Soho and he was genuinely overwhelmed with the sketch and said “What do I write – I don’t do much of this stuff”.

Sketch: Glynis Barber in Beautiful, Aldwych Theatre

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Glynis Barber

British actress Glynis Barber, best known for her small screen roles in hit eighties come series Dempsey and Makepeace, Blake’s 7, Eastenders and Emerdale. She’s currently on the West End stage playing Genie Klein (Carole King’s Mum) in the London production of the Broadway hit Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at the Aldwych Theatre.

Carole’s album Tapestry has sold more than 25 million copies and the musical focuses on her route to success between the ages of 16 and 29, as part of the hit songwriting team with husband Gerry Goffin.

Glynis is a lifelong fan of Carole King. She doesn’t sing, but loves the fact that she will get to hear Carole King music all year. Initially booking till 13 June, the show has extended its run due to popular demand until February next year. It has also just been nominated for 8 Olivier Awards.

Sketch: Carly Bawden in Assassins, Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Carly Bawden

The delightful Carly Bawden has just finished playing a failed murderer in the London revival of Stephen Sondheim’s 1990 ensemble cabaret Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Set in a fairground shooting gallery, the musical follows the assassination attempts – successful and otherwise – of 9 presidents of the United States.

Carly plays Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, who had President Gerald Ford in her sights before the gun failed to fire. WhatsOnStage called her character, “the wacko follower of cultist psychopath Charles Manson.” Critics were unanimous in praise of her performance, one calling it, “irrepressible”.

After the 26 year old shone in daring shows Pippin (also at the Menier) and in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg at the Gielgud, Carly’s star turn was her acclaimed leading role in the Kneehigh Theatre’s Christmas production of My Fair Lady at the Sheffield Crucible in 2012.

Under the headline ‘The Lady is a Champ’, Sarah Cockburn called Carly “impressive” on the Culture Vulture site, The Telegraph said, “remarkable” and Variety simply said, “An Ideal Eliza”

I was hoping to get this “Squeaky” sketch signed by Carly. Having missed her earlier, I waited outside the theatre after the final performance on Saturday evening. However, the customary end of the season celebrations were taking place in the font of house Menier cafe. Not wanting to interrupt proceedings, but keen to catch my last train, my best shot was to ask someone to get it to her.

The very kind and helpful Gerry (a staff member) appeared at the side door and designated smoking area. He happily took my sketch in and got Carly to sign it, she then came out to thank me in person.

Sketch: Sachin Tendulkar, The Little Master

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Mark Winter / Chicane

tendulkar

Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is widely considered as the greatest batsman of all time, or a least the equal of the great Sir Don Bradman. To say that ‘the Little Master (he’s 5′ 5”) is very popular is a massive understatement. His fan following is global and beyond…it’s out of this world, like his batting. He remains the most worshipped cricketer on the planet by some distance. In India they say,”Cricket is my religion and Sachin is my god’.

Sachin holds all the world records. He is the leading run scorer in both Tests and One Day Internationals and the only player to pass 30,000 runs in all forms of International cricket. He has the most Test centuries (51) and ODI’s (49) in the most Test matches (200) and ODI’s (463).

In November 2013 he retired from all cricket after scoring 74 in his final innings against the West Indies at his home ground in Mumbai. Over the years I have been privillaged to see Sachin play, including in Mumbai. or Bombay as it was called then.I have collected his graph many times. In November last year he was at a book-signing (‘Playing It My Way’) at Waterstones in the Jubilee Place Mall at London’s Canary Wharf. Unprecedented scenes brought the place to a standstill as record crowds stormed the store for Sachin-mania. An scheduled hour session turned into two and a half as he signed books for the never-ending queue, moi included. Because of the obvious time constraints he was only able to autograph the book, so I couldn’t get this sketch signed. Anticipating this, I had it all packed up and gave it to one of his team. it came back from Sachin’s Mumbai address this week. A Little Master-stroke!

I’m not sure if it’s hand-signed or a stamp, because the sig has a ‘fade’ in the middle of it. Given the amount of requests he receives it stands to reason he can’t sign them all. However the ink has bleed through the paper and on the reverse side there are pressure points consistent with a writing instrument being used. the ‘fade’ maybe the result of paper being placed on top of the graph,absorbing the ink, before it completely dried.

Either way, I was grateful the drawing was acknowledged.

Sketch: Sarah Kendall in Touchdown at the Soho Theatre

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Mark Winter / Chicane

sarah kendall

Sarah Kendall is a London based Australian comic who became the first comedienne in almost a decade in 2009 to be nominated for the prestigious Perrier Award (presented to the best shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, now called the Eddies)

She is one of the most acclaimed stand ups in the industry and has played sets around the globe, including the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and at LA’s Hollywood Improv Club.

The Observer called her, “thoughtful, intelligent, subtle, enlightening and …really funny.”

In its review The Guardian said Sarah, “takes comedy to serious places” for her latest show Touchdown, which has just completed its run at the Soho Theatre, where Sarah signed my sketch.

Sketch: Tiff Stevenson in Optimist at the Soho Theatre

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Mark Winter / Chicane

tiff stevenson

Stand-up comedian, actor and writer Tiff Stevenson’s latest show OPTIMIST was performed at last years Edinburgh Fringe. Reviewing it, GiggleBeats Hilary Wardle said,”Tiffany Stevenson looks rather angelic with her blonde hair and shimmering blue-green dress, but the minute she opens her mouth you realise she’s just the opposite. She’s a brash, complex, unhinged demon woman and she knows it”.

Tiff hit the Fringe circuit in 2006 with the lead role in the Eric Bogosian play TALK RADIO and has continued at Edinburgh with solo shows, including UNCOMFORTABLY NUMB, CAVEWOMAN, DICTATORS and ALONG CAME A SPIDER, playing to packed houses and rave reviews. She actually began her career in entertainment onscreen in THE OFFICE and in the indie feature SPINNING CANDYFLOSS and even appeared in Dizzie Rascal’s DIRTEE CASH vid. Her other TV credits include NEVER MIND THE BUZZCOCKS, ONLY JOKING, CELEBRITY DEAL OR NO DEAL and SHOW ME THE FUNNY, performing in the live final at London’s Hammersmith Apollo.

Tiff signed this sketch at the Soho Theatre after performing OPTIMIST, which she is currently touring with dates listed on her website.

Sketch: Lydia Wilson, Oliver Chris, Richard Goulding and Tafline Steen in King Charles III

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Mark Winter / Chicane

The smash hit play, King Charles III, Mike Barlett’s mock Shakespearean play about a constitutional crisis when Charles succeeds his mother after her death. Time called it a “future history play”.

Directed by Rupert Goold, the pitch perfect production premiered at London’s Almeida Theatre on 10 April 2014, before transferring to Wyndham’s in the West End for a short sell out run late last year.

“It won’t blow the palace sky high. But it’s theatrical dynamite, nonetheless,” said Caroline McGinn in Time Out.

Lydia Wilson’s manipulating Duchess of Cambridge with a touch of Lady Macbeth puts pressure on Oliver Chris’s uncanny William to intervene in his father’s refusal to uphold Parliament’s decisions. Richard Goulding’s likeable and restless Harry falls in love with the liberating but ultimately unstable Jess, a punky republican art student played by Tafline Steen.