Items15The creator’s order
  1. 1Rory BremnerRory BremnerBorn 6 Apr 1961Bremner’s Tony Blair in Bremner, Bird and Fortune is a useful starting point for an impression built around the rhythm of public persuasion. The pauses and carefully divided phrases matter as much as the vocal resemblance, giving a satirical script the shape of a recognisable political performance.…0i
  2. 2Jan RavensJan RavensBorn 14 May 1958Ravens’s Theresa May draws on tension, restraint and the difficulty of appearing spontaneous, as interpreted through the politician’s public performances. Her own explanation of the impression is helpful: she is describing a projected persona, not claiming private knowledge of May. Start with the…0i
  3. 3Debra StephensonDebra StephensonBorn 4 Jun 1972Stephenson has explained that Davina McCall’s mannerisms help her find the voice, making this an especially clear example of body and sound working together. The Impressions Show offers a starting point for seeing how an energetic presenter’s public style becomes a whole performance. Watch the…0i
  4. 4Ronni AnconaRonni AnconaBorn 4 Jul 1968Ancona’s Nigella Lawson in The Big Impression draws on the cook’s relaxed pacing, attention to the camera and deliberate physical manner. She studied those movements as part of finding a coherent comic version of the television persona. Start with that character to see how a look or a pause can…0
  5. 5Steve CooganSteve CooganBorn 14 Oct 1965The Michael Caine exchanges in The Trip turn impersonation into an argument about acting, age and who has understood a performance more accurately. Coogan does more than produce a familiar sound: he examines where the voice sits and how an actor’s delivery changes across roles and periods. Start…0i
  6. 6Rob BrydonRob BrydonBorn 3 May 1965Brydon’s contribution to The Trip’s Michael Caine exchange works through persistence, variation and the enjoyment of another performer’s response. He can keep a recognisable voice active across a whole conversation, making it a way of occupying the scene rather than a brief party trick. Watch his…0i
  7. 7Tracey UllmanTracey UllmanBorn 30 Dec 1959Ullman’s Judi Dench in Tracey Ullman’s Show begins with the recognisable authority of a much-loved actor, then places that screen persona inside deliberately absurd situations. The sketch’s misbehaviour is invented; the joke depends on the mismatch with Dench’s public standing. Start with those…0i
  8. 8Tina FeyTina FeyBorn 18 May 1970The September 2008 Saturday Night Live address with Amy Poehler’s Hillary Clinton gives Fey’s Sarah Palin a clear comic situation. Beyond the accent and visual resemblance, the performance uses the contrast between presentation and phrasing to keep the two characters distinct. Start with that…0i
  9. 9Kate McKinnonKate McKinnonBorn 6 Jan 1984The 2016 Saturday Night Live debate sketches give McKinnon’s Hillary Clinton a strongly physical interpretation of rehearsed public composure. The held smile, prepared response and sudden change in energy all become part of the comic character. Begin with the first debate parody opposite Alec…0i
  10. 10Bill HaderBill HaderBorn 7 Jun 1978Hader’s Alan Alda demonstrations on Conan are a good entry point into impressions that suggest a whole conversational presence. The rhythm, facial movement and apparent way of considering a thought work together, even when the material is brief. Start with the original Team Coco interview clips to…0i