From Blair to Here

Marking the first anniversary of the Labour government, this television broadcast captures Rory Bremner relying heavily on his political impersonation skills. Instead of performing a standard theater hour, the Scottish comic blends direct-to-camera monologue with elaborate character work, aiming his mimicry at the newly established administration. The focus is strictly Westminster, relying on accurate vocal recreation and insider references to mock the political landscape of the late nineties.

Aired on Channel 4 in April 1998, the hour-long production features frequent collaborators John Bird and John Fortune, including a bit where a character acts as a senior adviser at 10 Downing Street. Bremner supplements his stage material with sketches and media parodies, notably a recurring virtual reality manifestation of Peter Mandelson. Cameos from actual broadcasters like Andrew Marr and Jon Snow give the material a strange anchor in reality.