Drawing: David Tennant as Richard II

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

David Tennant calls theatre work his “default way of being” but there’s no faulting his latest foray on to the boards with the Bard’s Richard II at Stratford-Upon-Avon in October and November 2013, before transferring to the Barbican in London, completing its run last Saturday.

“There are many splendid things about the RSCs production of Shakespeare’s history play, not least of which is David Tennant’s hair,” one critic wrote. “With his startled eyes and concentrated frowns, Tennant is frail, pale and consistently interesting.”

Drawing: Birgitte Hjort Sorensen

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

The Danish actress Birgitte Hjort Sorensen took the role of Roxie Hart in the 2007 production of Chicago at the Del Ny Theatre in Copenhagen. Based on that success she reprised the role in the London production at the Cambridge Theatre. Birgitte gained international prominence playing the crusading reporter Katrine Fonsmark in the Danish radio and television production Borgen.

She returned to London last year to play Virgilia in Shakespeare’s Coriolanus opposite Tom Hiddleston at the Donmar Warehouse, where she signed this sketch last week.

Drawings: Sam Mendes

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

The 29 July 2011 was the press night for Sam Mendes’ Shakespearean production of Richard III at the Old Vic, in featuring Kevin Spacey in the title role. It was also the beginning of a frustrating quest. I drew a quick ink portrait of the accomplished director, hoping to have it signed. But, alas, to misquote the Bard “Now was the start of Winter’s discontent”.

I have carried that piece of artwork with me for the past 2 and a half years to opening nights, closing nights, award nights, premiere nights, nights lurking around stage doors during rehearsals, and days stalking filming of the latest Bond around various London locations. All part of my strategy to secure Sam’s siggy on my sketch. But, to no avail. I lacked the Mendes touch.

Prior to this, I had met Sam on a few occasions. He was always very friendly and happy to sign an autograph. It wasn’t his fault I couldn’t get the sketch signed, I just kept missing him, as I’m sure he would have done so had our paths crossed. Ironically my saviour was another Shakespearean king. This time, Lear, which starts preview on Tuesday (14 January 2014) at the National with Simon Russell Beale. I had succumbed to leaving the sketch with a suitable note and a return envelope at the theatre. It was Saturday afternoon, a cursory glance as I pass the stage door to go into the National’s foyer (which was brimming with matinee audiences). I found a spot, sat down, wrote the note, put it with the sketches and the envelope together inside a bigger envelope and closed it up. Looked up, and there was the man himself walking straight past me. Dilemma! Do I just give him the envelope, or do I rip it open and get it signed in person? Silly question.

Sam is a big cricket fan. In fact, he was an accomplished player in his day, representing Cambridge University. So in cricketing terms, I trapped him in front of the wickets… I mean, the lift. My delivery wasn’t flash. “Saaaaaaaaaam!” He turned, saw me furiously ripping open envelopes and tearing paper out. The connection was made when he recognised himself in my drawing, which he was more than happy to sign as I burbled on about my two and half year quest, that had come to a successful conclusion.

As I had his attention and the lift hadn’t arrived I politely asked him if he wouldn’t mind signing another one – a pencil sketch – while I fumbled through my bag to find it and he was more than obliging. Now, on a cold January day, was the Winter of my content. Plus, I saved a stamp.

Drawing: Simon Callow in Being Shakespeare

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Actor, musician, writer and theatre director Simon Callow excels in every facet.

Apparently he became an actor after sending a fan letter to Sir Laurence Olivier, the then artistic director of the National Theatre. A response suggested he join the box office staff and realised acting was for him after watching actors rehearse.

He signed my sketch at the Trafalgar Studios in London in July 2011 before a performance of his one man play Being Shakespeare. It was revived at the same theatre in March 2012, prior to a run in New York and Chicago.

Drawing: Jude Law in Henry V at The Noël Coward Theatre

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

The final play in the Michael Grandage season at the Noël Coward Theatre is Henry V, starring Jude Law. Jude signed and dedicated my drawing on Wednesday night, after a preview performance of Henry V.

Drawing: Miranda Raison in Anne Boleyn at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Shakespeare’s Globe commissioned Howard Brenton to write a new play – Anne Boleyn. It premiered at the Globe Theatre on 24 July 2010 with Miranda Raison in the title role as Henry VIIIs notorious second wife. It received high critical acclaim and won Best New Play at the What’s On Stage Theatregoers Choice Awards in 2011. Sell out performances resulted in its return for two months in 2011.

Not some dusty, historical drama, it was described as a tale full of life and humour, adventure and romance, all tinged with sadness. It is a celebration of a great English heroine who was a significant force in the political and religious fight leading to the English reformation. While sharp intelligence, political acumen and forward manners are desirable in a mistress, they were at the time unacceptable in a wife… the rest, as they say, is ‘herstory’.

Miranda is best known for her role as Jo Portman in the British television series Spooks (a show Howard Brenton also wrote scripts for). She also played Anne Boleyn in Henry VIII in the same season at the Globe.

The play opens with Miranda addressing the audience holding her severed head, rendered in my sketch which Miranda kindly signed. She also sent me a lovely note, thanking me for a “wonderful drawing”.

Drawings: A Midsummer Night’s Dream starring Susannah Fielding, Katherine Kingsley, Padraic Delaney and Gavin Fowler

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare’s tale of mischief and misplaced devotion – is the fourth instalment of Michael Grandage‘s current season of plays in the West End at the Noël Coward Theatre.

Susannah Fielding (Hermia), Katherine Kingsley (Helena), Padraic Delaney (Oberon) and Gavin Fowler (Puck) all signed their respective sketches after Tuesday evening’s performance. The season ends today (16 November 2013)

Drawing: Sheridan Smith and David Walliams in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Noël Coward Theatre

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

For our wedding anniversary each year my wife Frankie and I celebrate with a little Shakespeare. Last year we saw Mark Rylance and Stephen Fry in Twelfth Night at the Apollo Theatre. This year the Winters saw A Midsummers Night’s Dream at the Noël Coward Theatre with Sheridan Smith as Titania and David Walliams in the ‘Bottom’ role. I did this quick sketch before hand, but on the anniversary evening Sheridan was “indisposed,” so we didn’t see her on stage.

David was happy to sign after the performance. I went back a week later and Sheridan, as usual was delightful. She loved the drawing and thanked me for taking the time to come back and was pleased to sign it.

Drawing: Rory Kinnear in Hamlet at The National Theatre

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Outstanding thespian Rory Kinnear has been shortlisted for two Evening Standard Theatre Awards – Best Actor for his astonishing portrayal of Iago opposite Adrian Lester (also nominated) in the National’s Othello. He has also got the nomination for the Most Promising Playwright for The Hero at the Bush Theatre.

The award winners will be announce this Sunday (17 November 2013) at the Savoy Hotel in London.

Rory kindly signed my sketch of him in Hamlet with a nice dedication at the National Theatre in October 2010. I gave him a copy and he said he had it framed and hanging in his home the day he got it.

Drawing: Billy Boyd as Banquo in Macbeth at Shakespeare’s Globe

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Known globally as the hobbit Pippin in all three Lord of the Rings films, Scottish actor Billy Boyd is also an accomplished musician, singing, playing guitar, bass and drums. He fronts the band Beecake named after his LOTR co-star, Dominic Monaghan, sent him a picture of a cake covered in bees. Billy wrote the song The Edge of NIght for Peter jackson’s last instalment of LOTR The Return of the King.

Billy just finished a season of ‘the Scottish play’ at Shakespeare’s Globe in London this week. He signed my sketch on the last day.