John Cleese Impersonator Toastmaster Spot On Entertainment Events Direct Manchester

Ed Wells - fantastic impersonator from Norfolk

These are generally meet and greet work as an ice breaker at receptions, and or interactive work in character around the dining room tables.

Again, this would be covered with the above items, but may introduce any of the examples below to suit, depending on the bias for full entertainment or supplementary entertainment.

Full on "Fawlty Towers Nights" would normally use most of the routines from the "A' la Carte" section, as applicable.

Qualified as a Graduate of the UK School of Professional Toastmasters, also called on duties as link for MC work on stage for awards, raffles and auctions, either in character, or as a toastmaster.

This encompasses Exhibition Stand work, to Corporate Training Videos and Adverts tailor made to suit.

I usually meet and greet people at the reception, as if I am the owner of the premises, giving the sort of hospitality one would expect from a Top Class Torquay Hotelier. I call for the line up, at weddings or to proceed to the meal as required, then work around the tables totally in character, be it a buffet or set meals. An excellent “Manuel” and “Sybil” are also available if required, but probably your needs are greater than mine!

A hybrid of roles, starting with the duties of announcements dressed, and acting as a formal Toastmaster, then during the meal I would announce that I have received a number of complaints about the food and service, and feel it is my duty to bring the Hotel Manager to account. A few minutes later, after a quick costume change, a rather bad tempered Basil make his entrance…. (Only works if the Basil Fawlty concept is a complete surprise).

At weddings I have also been called upon to usher people arriving at the venue for the service, directing cars and late stragglers with a megaphone, when dressed as Basil. Also crowd control for the photographers.

There are additional optional activities that can be introduced using various props, these include the following:

If the event style warrants it, and the venue is a bit like Fawlty Towers, ie. Not too modern in style, I could install a moose’s head on the wall at the reception. The head moves, the mouth is synchronised, and operated by my voice, via a radio mike.

For a surprise first entrance, used at the end of the reception, or meal/speeches, I could set off the hotels fire alarm system, or if this was too OTT due to other functions etc. I have a pocket alarm that sounds similar in localised areas. I make an entrance, somewhat formal at first, to totally manic, informing people of their predicament. Once everyone is on the move, I then re-direct them to the next room according to the schedule. Again, most effective when they are not expecting Basil Fawlty to appear.

This could be used as my first main entrance, or part of the standard proceedings:

During the meal, and prior to the main course, I would make an entrance after people have heard a bang and clatter in the kitchens, plus an ensuing mock argument that sounds like the meal has been ruined as it hit the floor, but was saved, as I scraped it up from the floor, and put it on some new plates! This can be modified to suit the occasion but I remain concealed until I make my entrance. (Works well with small numbers).

This could be run on from the kitchen calamity sketch, or as a separate entity:

Enter with a serving trolley with a tray and cloche cover on top. I make a speech, and proceed to sharpen the carving knife on a steel. I mention that it should be Manuel that should be serving the food, but as usual you just can’t find the staff, and if I had my way, I would put his head on a plate. I lift the cloche cover, and Manuel’s head appears to be on the plate. The serving trolley has a false bottom, and “Manuel” is concealed below. “Manuel” could be a well known character, ie. The best man, the hotel proprietor, or anyone of similar build and looks, with a provided stuck on moustache and waiters jacket. Manuel then jumps out from under the table and screams and runs off chased by me with a carving knife. The catering staff then proceed to deliver the food as normal.

During the meal I often introduce the concept of having Manuel’s rare pet filigree Siberian hamster in my pocket. This is used to great effect and hilarity around the tables. This is along with Basil’s banter about the food and staff, the plebs, and dealing appropriately with any complaints.

If it’s an informal do, and with decided fans of Fawlty Towers and interactive fun, then after dessert, and when coffee has been served, I often make an announcement that I have just seen the Major outside the room, and he’s going around with his gun. Now in case there are any health and safety officers around, I would like to explain that it’s for purely routine maintenance, and reassure everybody that there’s nothing to be concerned about, but I had better just have it put back again in the cabinet. I walk out of visual, but allow people to hear. There are two loud bangs. Right Major, give that gun to me, there aren’t any here this week Major, no Germans.” I then rush back into the room holding the shotgun. “Sorry, just the Major, shooting starlings through the window. I look down at the gun, “That reminds me, I’ve received many complaints about Manuel’s rare filigree Siberian hamster being on the loose. Has any one seen it recently? right then we’ll have to go on a little rat hunt then.”

I walk round looking under the tables calling for the rat, and end up near the head table. At weddings on the table, in front of the Bride and Groom is a wrapped present, previously positioned. I yell “Oh my God, there it is” I point the gun in the general direction. I press a button beneath the barrel, and a radio controlled rat shoots out from the present, and runs across the head table, followed by a couple of loud bangs from the shotgun. I pick up the rat by its tail and announce its demise. At corporate events the rat may be concealed under one of the tables, and runs out across the dance floor etc. At this stage I could wind up my activities and make an exit, or announce and that I’ll dispose of the rat, and sort out the Major once and for all.

I leave visual , and announce from an adjoining room: “Oh my God, he’s really done it this time. Well we can’t leave the corpse out here in the kitchen, I know……” The next thing seen as I re enter, is a laundry basket with an arm and leg sticking out from under the blanket. I wheel this through the restaurant area, saying “Go on, carry on with your meals, you’ve seen a laundry basket before haven’t you?” After displaying the trolley I make an announcement that due to circumstances beyond my control, unfortunately it appears that we are one down on staff, so we are going to have a Manuel, and a lesser known twin sister Emmanuel recruiting campaign. I call upon 3 ladies and 3 gentlemen to come forward, and dress them up as waiters and maids respectively. I run through 3 interactive routines, which may benefit from a PA system, depending on numbers and size of venue. The last one is done in the best possible taste, I have the whole audience singing Viva Espania, whilst the 6 candidates sing and dance around the tables and come back to the front. I then bring each candidate forward and get the audience to vote by yelling clapping their hands and stamping, applauding their favourite candidates. A prize of bubbly, or whatever is suitable, is presented to the best candidate.

I usually finish and depart with maybe just one mention about the war, and goose step my way out with a bow.

Often used in the line of introductions on stage, a gadget promotion character for sales and advertising also:

Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, a 7’ 3” tall Jaws, an Odd Job, Miss Moneypenny, Bond Girls and a complete stunt action team.

A typical scenario would be meeting and greeting at receptions, and around the meal tables, also around Roulette tables etc followed by an optional 10-15 minute Bond action scene with a shoot out when numerous Russian agents take over the scene and kidnap the CEO of the company. The intro to gain attention is often made by myself, before the Russian guys and the "Mr Big's" female "Pet," clad in a leather catsuit, take over. A lot of in jokes are made with varying characters of the company, and the day is saved with another fight scene by James Bond and a surprise from the CEO.

These are some of the typical services available. They all had their first time of trying, and I'm always pleased to advise and custom build more as required.

Outdoor events are also available with "Bond" cars, Fight scenes, Abseiling, Tanks and helicopters etc. if required.

For further outdoor events we could demonstrate what "The Romans ever did for us."

A complete marching and fight re-inactment team available, also informative demonstrations, horse back riding, building and weaponry. Also weekend induction camping courses for the kids. Bless them!