Drawing: Silvia Gallerano in La Merda at the Soho Theatre

Posted on May 4, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Award winning Italian actress Silvia Gallerano is currently appearing in the uncompromising one woman play La Merda at the Soho Theatre in London. It’s about our modern consumer society and how we pull ourselves out of the mud.

Inspired by Pier Paolo Pasolini’s ideas on cultural genocide, Cristian Ceresoli’s play features a young, ‘ugly’ and naked Silvia Gallerano revealing her bulimic and revolting secrets to all. The Guardian said “a startling monologue on body language, fame and politics with mesmerising bravery by a naked Silvia Gallerano.

Winner of six major awards including the coveted Scotsman Fringe First Award and The Stage Award for Best Actress. It shocked and awed the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe audience followed by a sell out Fringe run and European Tour.

Reviews included:
“Hard to watch. hard to ignore”
“One of the most wonderfully full on performances, ever seen at the Edinburgh Festival”
“Raw, touching, intelligent and unforgettable”

Silvia signed this sketch at the Soho Theatre after Thursday evening’s performance. La Merda finishes Sunday 4 May 2014.

Drawing: Katherine Ryan in Glam Role Model at the Soho Theatre

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

London based Canadian comic, writer and actress katherine Ryan was the 2008 winner of the Nivea Funny Women Awards.

She is fast becoming a recognisable face on British TV with appearances on Live at the Apollo, Mock The Week, QI and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

The Scotsman wrote of Katherine: “Warped wit… striking presence… killer lines.”

Today (Saturday 3 May 2014) is her final performance of Katherine Ryan: Glam Role Model, after a sold out run at London’s Soho Theatre. It’s part of Katherine’s second UK stand up tour, and tackles everything from celebrity obsession to sex and single motherhood. Her 60 minute repertoire includes gems such as:
“We keep better track of celebrities than aircraft” and “twerking… is not a dance, it’s a cry for help” and a booty-shaking Beyonce tribute.

Katherine signed this sketch after Thursday’s evening performance. Her first reaction was “oh you’ve included my dog… wow”. I’m pleased I did…

Drawing: Gemma Whelan in Dark Vanilla Jungle at the Soho Theatre

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Actress and comedian Gemma Whelan took time out from Game of Thrones to return to the stage. She has just completed a run of Dark Vanilla Jungle at the Soho Theatre as part of the Soho Solo Season. It’s a breathtaking drama about one girl’s craving for family and home and the lengths she will go to to achieve them, by award winning writer Philip Ridley.

“On a Fringe full of powerful monologues, there’s none more shattering in its impact than this blazing new solo drama.”

“A masterpiece… An absolute must-see”

“Riveting… the extraordinary performance of Gemma Whelan… vivid and audacious”.

“Grabs you but he throat and takes you to some nasty places… the sheer velocity is astounding.”

I met Gemma after her final performance at the Soho, where she signed my sketch, which she was obviously happy with.