Chris Walley | ChicanePictures

The 2019 Laurence Olivier Awards, recognising excellence in London theatre was held last Sunday at the Royal Albert Hall. Here’s a 4B pencil tribute to a selection of six winners who all signed their respective sketches over the past year.

Sharon D. Clarke, Best Actress in a Musical for her title role in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE at the Playhouse Theatre, signed in person at the theatre last December.

Autographed drawing of Sharon D Clarke in Caroline, Or Change at the Playhouse Theatre on London's West End

Patti LuPone, Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her portrayal of Joanne in Stephen Sondheim’s COMPANY at the Gielgud Theatre, signed at the stage door in October last year.

Autographed drawing of actress Patti LuPone

Patsy Ferran, Best Actress for SUMMER AND SMOKE, signed at the Duke of York’s Theatre on 18 December 2018, following a West End transfer after a sold-out run at the Almeida Theatre.

Autographed drawing of Patsy Ferran and Matthew Needham in Summer and Smoke at the Duke of York's Theatre on London's West End

Kyle Soller, Best Actor for his role as Eric Glass in the Young Vic’s two-part epic, THE INHERITANCE at the Noel Coward Theatre, signed at the stage door in January this year.

Autographed drawing of Kyle SOller and Andrew Burnap in The Inheritance at the Noel Coward Theatre on London's West End

Kobna Holbrook-Smith, Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Ike Turner, in TINA,THE MUSICAL, signed at the Aldwych Theatre’s stage door late last year.

Autographed drawing of Kobna Holdbrook-Smith in Tina The Musical at the Aldwych Theatre on London's West End

Chris Walley, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for playing the teenager Davey in THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, also signed at the Noel Coward stage door last summer.

Autographed drawing of Chris Walley in The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Noel Coward Theatre on London's West End

Autographed drawing of Chris Walley at The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Noel Coward Theatre on London's West End

Twenty-three year old Irish actor Chris Walley knew from the age of eight that he wanted to be an actor because he ‘just loves entertaining people.’ When he left school, he immediately applied for RADA in London, but was unsuccessful. So he returned home to full time study at the Cork School of Music in the BA Drama and Theatre Studies programme. A year later he reapplied to RADA and was offered one of the coveted 28 places from 3,500 applicants.

He starred as Jock in Peter Foott’s film THE YOUNG OFFENDERS, which became an instant hit at the Irish box office and garnered Chris several award nominations. The subsequent TV series was equally popular, winning Chris an IFTA Award. He made his West End debut in June this year as Davey in Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE opposite Aidan Turner, directed by Michael Grandage at the Noel Coward Theatre and received exceptional reviews.

TimeOut’s Andrzej Lukowski wrote, “in a uniformly strong cast, special praise should go to Walley. A virtual unknown, he is excruciatingly brilliant as the mullet-clad Davey who meets each new indignity heaped upon him with an impressive mix of resignation and hysteria.” He was nominated for TheStage Debut Award.

Chris signed my drawing at the stage door during the plays final week earlier this month.