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Voices from the Past: Steve Nallon's Journey from Spitting Image to Spooky Stories
Today, Danny speaks to actor, writer, voice artist, comedian and impressionist, Steve Nallon. In this lively episode, Steve shares some great stories about his time working on Spitting Image and with Janet Brown, Mike Yarwood, Rory Bremner, Rik Mayall and scores of other stars. He explains how he developed his iconic Margaret Thatcher impersonation.
Steve shares why, despite being such a prolific performer he actually prefers anonymity over fame. They also discuss the personal and professional adjustments those involved in the entertainment industry make as they age.
If you can´t get enough of these podcasts, head to https://www.patreon.com/DannyHurst to access my exclusive, member-only, fun-filled and fact-packed history-related videos.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- As a kid Steve had a vivid imagination and loved acting out the characters he made up, but he was so shy he couldn´t perform in front of others.
- Even well-known comedians like Les Dawson worried about “dying on their arse”.
- There are comedians that say funny things, those that do funny things and those that simply are funny. Steve explains the difference.
- When an audience does not laugh, it feels incredibly personal.
- Spitting Image became so culturally significant that the FT used photos of the show's puppet versions instead of real politicians.
- The Spitting Image puppets were powerful. Some stars even found themselves becoming more like the puppet version.
- Most `politicians develop a persona that they use in public.
- Impressions are a caricature, just the essence of a person.
- As you get older doing impressions of certain people becomes harder.
- Writing about things that catch your attention and things you have experience of works well e.g. Steve using Maggie Thatcher in a ghost story.
- From a certain angle the statue of Nelson looks like he is pleasuring himself.
- Steve explains why he has always resisted appearing on TV as himself.
BEST MOMENTS
“I always was a performer. As a kid .. I would become all these different people.”
“What didn't come naturally was performing in front of an audience.”
“You die on your arse.”
“Be open to anything, and everybody…that was the BBC training in 1975.”
“I did attempt Trump, but it was so bad they cut it.”
“I was walking down Brewer St a couple of days ago and there was only one sex shop.”
EPISODE RESOURCES
https://www.nallon.com
HOST BIO
Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can.
CONTACT AND SOCIALS
https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst
facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638
https://twitter.com/dannyhurst
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720
View all episodes
By Danny HurstToday, Danny speaks to actor, writer, voice artist, comedian and impressionist, Steve Nallon. In this lively episode, Steve shares some great stories about his time working on Spitting Image and with Janet Brown, Mike Yarwood, Rory Bremner, Rik Mayall and scores of other stars. He explains how he developed his iconic Margaret Thatcher impersonation.
Steve shares why, despite being such a prolific performer he actually prefers anonymity over fame. They also discuss the personal and professional adjustments those involved in the entertainment industry make as they age.
If you can´t get enough of these podcasts, head to https://www.patreon.com/DannyHurst to access my exclusive, member-only, fun-filled and fact-packed history-related videos.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- As a kid Steve had a vivid imagination and loved acting out the characters he made up, but he was so shy he couldn´t perform in front of others.
- Even well-known comedians like Les Dawson worried about “dying on their arse”.
- There are comedians that say funny things, those that do funny things and those that simply are funny. Steve explains the difference.
- When an audience does not laugh, it feels incredibly personal.
- Spitting Image became so culturally significant that the FT used photos of the show's puppet versions instead of real politicians.
- The Spitting Image puppets were powerful. Some stars even found themselves becoming more like the puppet version.
- Most `politicians develop a persona that they use in public.
- Impressions are a caricature, just the essence of a person.
- As you get older doing impressions of certain people becomes harder.
- Writing about things that catch your attention and things you have experience of works well e.g. Steve using Maggie Thatcher in a ghost story.
- From a certain angle the statue of Nelson looks like he is pleasuring himself.
- Steve explains why he has always resisted appearing on TV as himself.
BEST MOMENTS
“I always was a performer. As a kid .. I would become all these different people.”
“What didn't come naturally was performing in front of an audience.”
“You die on your arse.”
“Be open to anything, and everybody…that was the BBC training in 1975.”
“I did attempt Trump, but it was so bad they cut it.”
“I was walking down Brewer St a couple of days ago and there was only one sex shop.”
EPISODE RESOURCES
https://www.nallon.com
HOST BIO
Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can.
CONTACT AND SOCIALS
https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst
facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638
https://twitter.com/dannyhurst
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720