The success rate of various fields and industries can be attributed to the appropriate mixture of general practices and innovative movements. This holds true within the realms of stand-up comedy. Day in and day out, performers from all walks of life find various schemes in order to make good with their routines. Most of the time a material cannot be adequately delivered with just one comical technique. Nevertheless, successful performers can boast of having the ability to have mastered their chosen style. With this, lets take some time off to learn about the impressionist side of comedy.
Basically, the term impressionist describes a certain performer whose act revolves around sending an impression of living someone else’s life through mimicking another individuals behavior, mannerism, and habit. Professional comedians continually work on their routines in order to develop a wide array of repertoire when it comes to impressions. Their works include a constant addition of impressions based on relevant issues and current happenings. Impersonator is a common substitute tag for an impressionist particularly if there is an involvement of the individual imitating another on a lookalike basis.
The most impressive facet in the routine of an impressionist comes in the proximity of the voice quality of the target person, which is commonly a famous celebrity or politician. Props and other identifying marks like hats or glasses can be used to enhance the act but these elements have been considered to be somewhat traditional and obsolete. It is really the voice of the performer that is necessary to get the job done.
Since characters of animations are commonly created to poke fun on famous people, the defining character of the voice for a certain entertainer can be linked as a facility for impressions. The audience should be able to identify with the chosen celebrity even if that person is not clearly identified. In such case, the entertainment value is not entirely dependent on the technical prowess of getting the exact voice replica but more so on making the tone and pattern recognizable. The scheme of referring to the celebrity is the core of the joke and not merely the rendition made.
The UK became quite a seat for impressionists. The 70s British television scene saw a lot impressionists acts based on a certain Frank Spencer that stood for about a decade. Frank was a very famous character in the British sitcom called Some Mothers Do Ave Em. He was an easy target due to the clear-cut mannerisms and fashion sense which allowed for numerous mechanisms of visual proximity.
Televised talent shows provided an avenue for aspiring impressionists in the 70s. Lenny Henry is a prime success story that went through this career path. Mike Yarwood smoked the competition during the early stages of the 80s wherein his program showcased impressionist scene at its finest thus receiving high ratings and constant support from more than ten million spectators.
The 90s impressionists picture was quite blurry. There was a significant presentation decline with the ending of Spitting Image. Famed impressionist Rory Bremner set his sights on political figures like Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, John Major, and even the members of the Royal Family. But in 1999 and 2002 Alistair McGowan and Ronni Ancona came through with Alistair McGowans Big Impression and Dead Ringers respectively. Both programs showcased impressions of television and sporting personalities as well as highly regarded politicians and celebrities.
People that make up the stand-up comedy world are quite unique. They are able to let people enjoy and at the same time, learn a few tricks from them on how to combat the stress of daily living.