The passing of an icon

A man passed away recently who, for those of us of a certain age, will be remembered with great fondness and warmth.

The passing of Ray Alan, Ventriloquist supreme, saddened me greatly. I was fortunate enough to meet Ray (through a mutual friend, Steve Cosham), many years ago, and spend a marvelous Sunday at lunch with him at The Earlswood Arms pub, near his home in Reigate. He charmed us all, that day, with his warmth and generosity of spirit.
Sometime later I drew a caricature of him, and his most famous creation Lord Charles, for his birthday. As a professional artist I’ve drawn many such caricatures, but Ray was gracious and effusive with his praise and I enjoyed this one probably more than any other.

In 2005 Ray called me and asked if he could use the illustration in his autobiography (he was writing it and looking for a deal at the time), I was delighted to say yes. In fact, I said, when he was ready, I would redraw it (to a higher finish) to make it easier to print. This made him happy and we agreed to talk again soon. Sadly, the call from Ray never came ......and we lost touch.

When news of his death hit I was extremely upset, but I basked in the memory of that afternoon with him....and counted myself lucky to have known him at all. This last week I’ve revisited the drawing I did for him, and come up with the above image. I’m pleased with it as an image, and feel it captures Ray's playful nature. He had a completely irreverent attitude to Lord Charles and enjoyed confounding peoples expectations of that relationship.

He will, for me, forever be the T.V. Star I grew up with and the lovely man who regaled us with stories and gags that glorious Sunday afternoon.

Excelsior, respectfully, out. 

Stand Up....Lee Mack!!

I was recently invited to a gig at the HMV Apollo, Hammersmith, featuring the genius that is Lee Mack. His whirlwind delivery, and pointed observations are a joy to behold. He harks back to the very best of the old school (oddly reminding me of Eric Morecombe) while being bang up to date.

I was moved to create this portrait of Lee on the strength of the gig. It's the first of series of works featuring current comedians. Others will include: Sean Lock, Dara O'Briain and Michael McIntyre. 

I'm looking to market them as prints at some point, materialistic weasel that I am!!

Enjoy!

Excelsior Out!!!

Proud Brother 2

And to celebrate this great meeting of Darting Titans I knocked up a quick caricature to commemorate it. 

Tony is the "Maverick" "Top Gunner" (from the beach volleyball scene) throwing down a challenge to "The Power". 

Not terribly flattering for my brother, but then that's the point.

Excelsior Out!

A Proud Brother

Phew.....made it back on....finally!! I promise i'll be a more diligent poster this year. To that end here's a shot of my baby brother, Tony Mitchell, with none other than "The Power" himself! Tony is a darts player himself so was bursting with pride at meeting the great man.

It was taken in Marske Cricket Club where Phil was making one, of his many, guest appearances. 

For all it was a tiny venue he was charming, diligent, honest, funny and gracious....everything a champion should be. He made everyone's night.

Tony shared a story with him about his own darting adventures. In 2008 he qualified for the UK Open finals (in Bolton) via the pub rounds. He beat a good club player in the first round, and was interviewed by the delightful Helen Chamberlin when it became evident that "Maverick" (Tony's dart moniker) would be playing "Iceman" (Alan Warriner-Little) in the next round. 

Tony explained to Phil that he'd been looking forward to playing him in the final (LOL) but it wasn't to be. Phil asked him "Who'd knocked you out son?" 

"Alan Warriner-Little" replied my brother, expecting an "Ah well, he is a professional you know" from the power. Phil snorted in mock derision "Warriner, pah!!" as if to say "You've got a long way to go to meet me son if Warriner is knocking you out".

We all laughed and Phil was happy to pose for shots, and sign autographs, well into the night. All in all a great evening attended by a great man.

Excelsior Out! 

"Welcome to the Black & White Parade..."

When I was a young boy, my Father took me into the city to see a marching band.
He said "Son when you grow up will you be
the saviour of the broken, the beaten, and the damned?"
He said "Will you defeat them, your demons and all the non-believers,
the plans that they have made?
Because one day I'll leave you a phantom to lead you in the summer,
in the Black & White parade."

When I was a young boy, my Father took me into the city to see a marching band.
He said "Son when you grow up will you be the saviour of the broken, the beaten, and the damned?"
Sometimes I get the feeling he's watching over me. And other times I feel like I should go.
When through it all, the rise and fall, the bodies' in the streets, and now you're gone we want you all to know.

We'll Carry on, We'll Carry on, and though you said you dont believe me, your memory will carry on, we'll carry on, and though my heart cannot contain it, the anthem wont explain it.

This world that sends you reeling from decimated dreams. It's misery and hate will kill us all.
So paint it black and take it back, lets shout it loud and clear. Do you fight it to the end?, we hear the call to carry on. We'll carry on, and though your dead and gone believe me; your memory will carry on. We'll carry on and though you're broken and defeated,your weary widow marches...on and on we carry through the fears. Disappointed faces of your peers.Take a look at me,'cause I could not care at all--- Do or die you'll never make me. 

Because the world,will never take my heart. You can try, you'll never break me. You want it all, you wanna play this part. I won't explain, or say I'm sorry. Im not ashamed, I'm gonna show my scar's.
Let's hear a cheer, for all the broken. Listen here, because it's me too! I'm just a man, I'm not a hero. Just a man, who means to sing this song. Just a man, I'm not a hero. I - don't! - care!.
We'll carry on. We'll carry on, and though your dead and gone believe me your memory will
carry on. We'll carry on, and though you're broken and defeated, your weary widow marches on!---Do or die, you'll never make me, because the world, will never take my heart.

And though you try, you'll never break me. You want it all,(We'll carry on---) you wanna play this part. Do or die, ,(We'll carry on---) you'll never make me, because the world,(We'll carry on---) will never take my heart. You can try, you'll never break me.,(We'll carry ....) You want it all,(We'll carry on------) you wanna play this part."

A hero has left us, a phantom in the Summer....it is our duty to follow his heroic example, now and forever!

Excelsior Out! SO63! Amen!

Sir Robert William Robson. R.I.P.

The great man is gone, and a light in the world has been extinguished. The coming days will be filled with plaudits and tributes, from all corners of the world...I'd like to add mine. 

He managed our club as he lived his life; with grace, dignity and integrity. Had he not been so rudely dismissed, we would certainly not be in the position we are in now. Recriminations be damned...a hero has left us in the Summer and we shall not see his like again. He has passed into legend and, as such, is beyond whatever agony he was in. 

My thoughts are with his loved ones; life without such a beloved man must seem unbearable...but time will sooth the pain, as only time can.

He is among the immortals now and, as my picture says:"The secret of immortality is to, first, have a life worth remembering. We are the one's who will ALWAYS remember and find nothing but JOY in the memory. Amen." 

Excelsior Out.

A Rake's Progress.

Peter O'Toole has long been a favourite actor of mine. His classic delivery and leonine energy infuse every role he plays with a unique signature. At Oscar time he's the perennial bridesmaid; he holds the record for most nominations (8) without a win. In 2003 he received an "Honourary" Oscar but had to be cajoled into accepting it.

He's a man's man, hard drinking, two-fisted and outspoken...the sort of "Hollywood Star" that Hollywood stopped making years ago. Next to the current crop of bloodless clones that make up today's leading "Men", he is a God. He stands like an oak tree in a garden of weeds, towering above all in the movie firmament.

I met him in 1992, at a charity cricket match, and gushed like some pathetic fanboy. He was gracious, impressive and charismatic; in those few minutes he confirmed every wonderful thing I'd ever thought about him. 

Over the years his performances have been celebrated far and wide; here I want to highlight some of his lesser known turns! "Murphy's War" (1971) Fantastic WW2 story of Irishman Murphy (O'Toole), sole survivour of a merchant ship sunk by a German U-Boat. After being nursed back to health by the local settlement's Quaker doctor (and discovering the U-Boat is moored secretly nearby) he set's about plotting his revenge. A splendidly energetic O'Toole gives an authentic stench of madness to his portrayal of a man in search of redemption. 

1980 brought us "The Stunt Man", a complex, unclassifiable movie within a movie. It saw O'Toole, in imperious form, as manic film director Eli Cross harbouring a young Vietnam vet on the run from the law. Cross takes the boy into his crew and slowly, but surely, the line between reality and Hollywood make-believe begins to disappear. Again the great man is wildly charismatic, riveting and monstrous to a fault. 

Finally, my favourite O'Toole, is "My Favourite Year". His weary, melancholic rake Alan Swann, is his finest hour. He ellicits wonder, contempt, sympathy and love at every turn. The 50's setting makes the movie all the warmer as young TV comedy writer Benjy Stone (a brilliant Mark Linn Baker), tries (unsuccessfully) to keep Swann sober for his live TV appearance on "The King Kaiser Show". O'Toole's own mythology plays directly into this character so much that by the time his confession, at not having seen his daughter in years, comes around we feel the pain of his shame as genuine.

A great actor, a flawed man...a living legend. Celebrate him while you can.

Excelsior out!