Photos: A painter's perspective - Behind the Scenes exhibition

Actors Mark Rylance, Ian McKellen, Ian McDiarmid and Kim Cattrall and director Mark Rylance are just some of the famous Theatreland faces that feature in Behind the Scenes, a new free exhibition of paintings by Keith Holmes, which runs from 21 to 26 May 2012 at Mayfair’s Art Galleries Europe.

Holmes’ paintings and drawings capture the secret workings of the West End theatre, focusing on the nuts and bolts - and hard work - that the audience never sees. He captures the minutiae of those involved, from actor, to technical crew, as they prepare and rehearse the show revealing the evolution of the production process. Holmes was artist in residence at the Donmar Warehouse and was also given access to productions at the Apollo, Duchess and Wyndham’s Theatre for the Donmar West End Season.

One hundred of Holmes’ oils and charcoal drawings are on show in a free exhibition at Art Galleries Europe, 18 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London W1S 1PL for one week from 21 May 2012. The gallery is open daily from 10.30am to 7pm.

HERE ARE A SELECTION OF KEITH HOLMES' BEHIND THE SCENES PAINTINGS:

Christian Slater

Ian McDiarmid

Ian McKellen

Kim Cattrall

Mackenzie Crook

Mark Rylance

Michael Grandage

Dancers in rehearsal