Drawing: Jeff Fahey in Twelve Angry Men at The Garrick Theatre

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Jeff Fahey has starred in many indie classics, including the title role in the cult sci-fi hit The Lawnmower Man opposite Pierce Brosnan and Quentin Tarantino’s Grindhouse. Other films include Clint Eastwood’s White Hunter Black Heart; Silveradd and Wyatt Earp, both with Kevin Costner.

Jeff’s extensive television career includes playing the title role in The Marshal and most recently, the hit series Lost playing helicopter pilot Frank Lapidus. His humanitarian work involves assisting the establishment of the American University of Afghanistan, projects to assist orphans in Kabul and is a Global Ambassador on the US Committee for refugees and immigrants.

Jeff is part of a stellar cast in the latest West End revival of the classic courtroom drama Twelve Angry Men. He plays the estranged third juror – the last one to vote not guilty (Lee Jacob’s role in the 1957 movie). He signed and dedicated my sketch before yesterday’s matinée at the Garrick Theatre.

Drawing: Lesley Manville in Six Degrees of Separation at The Old Vic

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

English actress Lesley Manville has an illustrious career in film, theatre and television. She frequently collaborates with director Mike Leigh, including Another Year (2010), Secrets and Lies (1996) and Vera Drake (2004).

For her role in Another Year she was nominated for a BAFTA, British Independent Film Award and Chicago Film Critic’s Award, and won her second London Film Critics Circle Award and the National Board of Review for Best Actress.

In theatre, Lesley was nominated for a 2012 Olivier Award for her role as the widowed Dorothy in Mike Leigh’s new play Grief at the National.

She is currently in Ghosts, which transferred to the Trafalgar Studios from the Almeida Theatre after winning director Richard Eyre an Evening Standard Theatre Award. Lesley was also nominated for Best Actress. She signed my sketch at the Old Vic in February 2010. while performing in Six Degrees of Separation.

Drawing: Kelly Brook in Calendar Girls

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Model, actress and TV presenter Kelly Brook signed this quick sketch for me at the Noël Coward Theatre stage door during her season in Calendar Girls in November 2009. It would be fair to say that the costume crew weren’t overly worked during their production…

Drawings: Ian McKellen and Simon Callow in Waiting for Godot at Theatre Royal Haymarket

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Following on from yesterday’s Pickup Lines, I also produced sketches of the other main characters from Samuel Beckett’s absurdist tragicomedy Waiting for Godot in a similar ‘elemental’ style – like the play itself.

Sir Ian McKellen as Estragon and Simon Callow as Pozzo also signed their respective renderings at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in August 2009.

Drawing: Ronald Pickup in Waiting For Godot at Theatre Royal Haymarket

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Distinguished thespian Ronald Pickup worked with Sir Laurence Olivier at the National, namely Three Sisters and Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and was nominated for an Olivier Award in 1998 for his supporting role in Amy’s View.

He played the role of ‘Lucky’ alongside Ian Mckellen, Patrick Stewart and Simon Callow in Sean Mathias production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket. He signed my sketch after I was lucky enough to see a Saturday matinée in August 2009.

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: Robert Vaughn in Twelve Angry Men at the Garrick Theatre

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

One of my boyhood TV heroes was Napoleon Solo in the classic 60s spy series The Man From U.N.C.L.E. So it was great to eventually meet Robert Vaughn… albeit 40 something years later in London this weekend.

I am also a big fan of Hustle, in which Robert plays the veteran grifter Albert Stroller. He’s been one of the biggest stars in the business for the past 50 years. Robert was gunman Lee in the Magnificent Seven (1960) and is now the only surviving member of the title cast. He has been nominated for the Oscar (The Young Philadelphians), a BAFTA (Bullitt) and four Golden Globes. He won an Emmy for his portrayal of George Washington in 1978. He also has a PhD in Communication from the University of Southern California – an actor and an academic.

Robert is currently applying his intellect on the West End stage at the Garrick Theatre in Reginald Rose’s jury drama Twelve Angry Men, playing the wise old juror #9, identified late in the play as ‘McCardle’. He signed my sketch of his character going in for Saturday’s matinee performance.

Drawing: Kyle Soller in A Long Day’s Journey Into Night at the Apollo Theatre

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Kyle Soller is an American actor, living in London having graduated from RADA in 2008. His breakthrough year was in 2011 when he won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Newcomer for stellar performances in The Glass Menagerie and The Government Inspector, both at the Young Vic and The Faith Machine at the Royal Court.

In 2012 he performed the role of Edmund in Eugene O’Neill’s harrowing autobiographical play A Long Day’s Journey Into Night at the Apollo Theatre with David Suchet and Laurie Metcalf. The sketch is based on that character and he signed it for me at the theatre. Kyle is currently appearing in Marlowe’s Edward II at the National.

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: The Pride starring Hayley Atwell, Harry Hadden-Paton, Al Weaver and Mathew Horne

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Mark Winter / Chicane

The revival of Alexi Kaye Campbell’s hilarious and heartfelt 2008 landmark play, The Pride, just concluded after an extended run at the Trafalgar Studios due to overwhelming demand. It examines changing attitudes to sexuality, looking at intimacy, identity and the courage it takes to be who you really are.

It featured Hayley Atwell, Harry Hadden-Paton, Al Weaver and Mathew Horne in what critics described as “an era-spanning masterpiece… brilliant, vibrant and ingenious.”

I gave my sketch to Harry at the theatre and he and the cast signed it on the final performance on Saturday.