Drawing: Thandie Newton, Tom Goodman-Hill and Anthony Calf in Death and the Maiden

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Argentine-Chilean playwright Ariel Dorfman’s DEATH OF A MAIDEN had its revival at the Harold Pinter Theatre in October 2011. It was particularly appropriate that this play should inaugurate the newly named Pinter Theatre (formerly The Comedy), since Harold Pinter was a friend who was instrumental in getting the original production onto the London stage over twenty years ago. It went on to collect the 1992 Olivier Award for Best New Play. Focusing on the after-effects of political torture and the issue of justice in a society emerging from a violent dictatorship, the 2011 revival starred Thandie Newton, Tom Goodman-Hill and Anthony Calf and ran from October through to January 2012.

Drawing: Ruth Wilson

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Ruth Wilson is a two time Olivier Award winner. In 2010 she picked up the first – a Best Supporting Actress Award for her role as Stella in The Donmar Warehouse’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire opposite Rachel Weisz, who also won the Best Actress category – followed by the 2012 Olivier for Best Actress as the title character in Anna Christie, also at the Donmar, opposite Jude Law. She was also nominated for a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Mini Series for her role in Jane Eyre. Ruth kindly signed this quick portrait study at the Donmar during the 2011 Anna Christie season.

Drawing: Douglas Hodge in Inadmissible Evidence at the Donmar Warehouse

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

After winning both the Olivier and Tony Awards for his performance as Albin in the West End and Broadway productions of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, the exceptional Douglas Hodge headlined the revival of John Osbourne’s semi-biographical INADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE at the Donmar in 2011. He played Bill Maitland,an old hack lawyer in crisis. His “soaring rhetorical venom” won unanimous praise and another Olivier nom. Described as a “poignant, witty and compelling” piece of theatre, one critic noted, “there is an acute sense that he is treading a gossamer-thin line between comedy and tragedy.”

Drawing: Matt Lucas as Thénardier in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Ever since he was given a ticket to see Les Misérables for his 13th birthday, Matt Lucas has dreamed of performing in the musical sensation. Matt has made a name for himself in Little Britain with David Walliams.

On 3 October 2010 his dream came true. In fact, it was the subject of a BBC2 TV doco entitled Matt Lucas Dreams the Dream. He played the comic villain Thenardier in the 25th Anniversary concert of the show at the O2 arena in London to a standing ovation. A year later, on 23 June 2011 he reprised the role at The Queen Theatre in the West End for a four month engagement. Matt signed my sketch at the stage door on 6 September 2011

Drawing: Bryony Hannah in The Children’s Hour at The Comedy Theatre

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

The Children’s Hour was Lillian Hellman’s first hit play. It premiered in 1934 at Maxine Elliot’s Theatre on Broadway. At the time, any mention of homosexuality on stage was illegal in New York State, but the play was such a success and widely praised that the subject matter was overlooked. A revival was staged at London’s Comedy Theatre in early 2011, directed by Ian Rickson.

It starred Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss as two school mistresses of an all girls boarding school in the 1930s. Their reputations and careers are thrown into chaos when disgruntled student Mary Tilford, played by Bryony Hannah, wrongly claims the two women are having a lesbian affair. It also featured Ellen Burstyn as the evil doting grandmother.

Hannah won rave reviews and an Olivier nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The Times described her as, “a diminutive scowling unknown in a rumpled gymslip who acts the stars right off the stage… the first act is hers and boy does she punch above her weight.”

The Express said her performance, “borders on the brilliant.”

TV viewers will know her as the meek Cynthia Miller in Call the Midwife, and she is currently back on stage at the National in Nick Payne’s Blurred Lines until 22 February.

Drawing: Joely Richardson in The Lady From The Sea at the Rose Theatre

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Joely Richardson had an early ambition to become a professional tennis player, spending two years at a tennis academy in Florida, before turning to acting.

She made her return to the stage, playing Ibsen’s mysterious heroine in The Lady From The Sea at the Rose Theatre in Kingston, Surrey February 2012.

In the 1970s Joely’s mother, Vanessa Redgrave, made a celebrated Ellida – the married Norwegian woman at the centre of the play, who is still in love with a sailor who disappeared years before. More sensitively, her sister Natasha, who died in 2009 after a skiing accident, also played the role at London’s Almeida Theatre in 2003. Both played the part to great acclaim. No pressure.

The Independent’s critic said, “Richardson dazzles on her return to the British Stage… Joely Richardson is excellent as Ellida.”

The role is obviously in the DNA.

Drawing: Sir Tim Rice

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Apart from winning multiple Oscars, Emmys, Tonys and Grammys and every other award under the sun, Timothy Miles Bindon Rice, or, as he’s known, Sir Tim is a bloody nice bloke. Oh, and a cricket fanatic. All endearing qualities for the world famous lyricist and author. On the few occasions I have been lucky enough to meet him he has always been very funny and very friendly. That continued this week when he signed my quick portrait sketch this week.

Drawing: Tyne Daly in Master Class at the Vaudeville Theatre

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Tony and Emmy Award-winning American stage and screen actress Tyne Daly starred as Maria Callas-the most influential opera singer of the 20th century-in the Broadway production of MASTER CLASS in 2011. She reprised the role in the West End which opened at the Vaudeville Theatre in February 2012 for a limited engagement until April. Tyne signed my sketch at the theatre in March.

Drawing: Calendar Girls, starring Lesley Joseph, Kacey Ainsworth, Camilla Dallerup, Helen Fraser, Sue Holderess, Deena Payne, Kathryn Rooney and Ruth Madoc

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Tim Firth adapted his screenplay for the highly successful comedy Calendar Girls for a stage version in 2008. Based on a true story about a group of Yorkshire women who produce a nude calendar to raise funds for Leukaemia Research, the film starred Helen Mirren and Julie Walters.

After playing to sell out audiences at the Chichester Festival Theatre, and a lengthy national tour, it previewed at the Noel Coward Theatre in the West End in April 2009. After a run of nearly a year and numerous cast changes it embarked on a second national tour. I drew the cast near the end of its run, which included Lesley Joseph, Kacey Ainsworth, Camilla Dallerup, Helen Fraser, Sue Holderess, Deena Payne, Kathryn Rooney and Ruth Madoc, who all signed my sketch at the Buxton Opera House, strangely enough in Buxton, in November 2012.

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.