The 2013 London revival of Conor McPherson’s Olivier-Award winning THE WEIR transferred from the intimate Donmar Warehouse to the Wyndham’s Theatre in Charing Cross for a sell-out season in early 2014. I did a sketch of Brian Cox, Ardal O’Hanlon and Dervla Kirwan, and they signed for me at the Donmar, which I’ve previously posted. After the transfer I drew this full cast drawing adding Risteard Cooper and Peter McDonald and got it graphed by all five at the stage door.
Thanks to the kindness of our friends Richard and Graham, Frankie and I enjoyed an excellent evening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket a couple of weeks ago to see one of the best plays in the West End at the moment, MR FOOTE’S OTHER LEG.
With the brilliant Simon Russell Beale in the lead role as the trailblazing Georgian actor,playwright, theatre manager, cross-dressing comic and ‘consummate wag’ Samuel Foote, supported by an equally brilliant cast including Dervla Kirwan, Joseph Milson and Micah Balfour the entertainment of the highest order was assured.
Ian Kelly’s play, based on the biography of the same name premiered at the Hampstead Theatre earlier this year under the direction of Richard Eyre, before transferring, appropriately to the Theatre Royal Haymarket, the very venue that Foote owned, securing the Royal patent. Described as the ‘Oscar Wilde of the 18th Century’, Samuel Foote lost a leg to a riding accident, but didn’t lose his desire to stay on stage. “The show must hop on!” His name fitted (oh the irony!) his fate.
He became more reckless and his entrepreneur career abruptly ended with accusations of sodomy. This sketch featuring Simon, Dervla, Joseph and Micah was baptized with London’s autumnal rains as I managed to get all four to sign it after two attempts at the uncovered stagedoor. Obviously Mr Foote didn’t think of us graphemes back in his day.
Irish actress Dervla Kirwan’s breakthrough came with her role as Assumpta Fitzgerald in the BBC drama Ballykissangel, winning a National Television Award in 1996. She is currently in the West End transfer of Conor McPherson’s The Weir, following a sell-out run at the Donmar last year.
She signed this quick 4B pencil portrait at last week’s press night (Tuesday 21 January 2014) at the Wyndham’s Theatre.
Conor McPherson’s The Weir is currently playing at the Donmar Warehouse. It’s the first major revival of an undoubted modern classic, directed by Josie Rourke.
On its premiere in 1997, at London’s Royal Court, The Weir won the Evening Standard Critic’s Circle and Olivier Awards for Best New Play.
Set in a rural bar in Ireland, a publican and three of his regulars attempt to spook a newcomer from Dublin, but end up frightened themselves.
My sketch was signed by Dervla Kirwan, Brian Cox and Father Ted’s Ardal O’Hanlon on Saturday 4 May.
ChicanePictures 