Performed by Jon Culshaw

Review by Annie Aslett

During his new show, Imposter Syndrome, Jon Culshaw always gets laughs. But he also gets cheers, boos, groans and bittersweet sighs. These come as he embodies the likes of Ronnie Corbett, Donald Trump, Jacob Rees-Mogg and the late, great Paul O’Grady. A master of his well-honed craft, Culshaw’s impressions never disappoint – his confident and self-assured delivery belies his wealth of experience transforming, chameleon-like, into different celebrity personas, beginning back in 1994 when he appeared on Spitting Image for the first time. 

Indeed, some of Culshaw’s characters and references smack firmly of a bygone era, and some will go over the head of the (admittedly few and far between) younger punters in the crowd. One feels that in all areas, bar political, Culshaw has not updated his roster of impressions much in the last 10 years. If not for the revolving door of UK Prime Ministers, Culshaw could have performed most of his show at any point in the last decade.

While none of the stars that get wheeled out is particularly surprising or novel, the show is well-paced as Culshaw moves seamlessly between anecdotes and witty ‘bits’ on which to hang some tried and true impersonations. George Formby takes over an Arctic Monkeys tune, Culshaw imagines Liam Gallagher singing ‘Mad For It’ as a now 50-year-old, and a smorgasbord of stars take a run at Hamlet’s famous soliloquy. Culshaw also treats us to some of his favourite entries in the ‘One Song to the Tune of Another’ segment from the radio show I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, to which Culshaw has been a frequent contributor. 

It should come as no surprise that a man with such control over his vocal cords has a superb singing voice. A genuinely incredible rendition of the Spiderman theme song to the tune of Bring Him Home from Les Misérables showcases another string to Culshaw’s (Alfie) bow.

Regardless of whether you’re familiar with the characters, it is fascinating to see how Culshaw’s physicality and mannerisms, as well as spot-on accents, merge to reveal a completely different man. You know Culshaw has hit the nail on the head when you involuntarily shudder as he transforms into Ricky Gervais. One couldn’t ask for a more professional and confident impressions show. But surely Culshaw wouldn’t be hard-pressed to think up a more modern one.