AT the peak of his television career, Alistair McGowan was the country's man of many faces, mimicking a wide range of stars and politicians for iconic series such as Only An Excuse, Alistair McGowan's Big Impression and Spitting Image.
These days, however, the comedian is more than happy to just be speaking in his own voice. He is also more likely to be found behind a classical piano than a studio microphone, having thrown himself into his life-long passion of music in recent years, working on albums, tours and even organising a piano festival near his home in Shropshire.
It now takes a very special project to get him back into impressions, which is exactly how he found himself back in Scotland for the sold-out premiere of a new film all about Alfred Hitchcock. McGowan, 58, was recruited by acclaimed director Mark Cousins for My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock, a stunning new documentary all about the enigmatic master of suspense, exploring his life and work and narrated by the man himself- or at least, a very skilful impression of the man himself.
Although McGowan was a big fan of his subject's work, and had examined Cary Grant's performance in North By Northwest to help mimic the acting legend, he had never tried to do a "Hitchcock" himself until Cousins came calling.
He loved mining back into his classics like Psycho, The Birds and Vertigo, but also learned to fully appreciate just how vast the great man's back catalogue is.
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
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Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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The Bliss Of A Bothy
After a strenuous walk, a mountain shelter can offer all you need
The Long Way Round
When you can only just see the stepping stones under a river in spate, it's time to re-think the route, as two Highland adventurers found out
The New Oyster Cult
A community is helping to restore the once rich biodiversity of Loch Craignish, one species at a time
A Poet's Sanctuary
Hidden on a hilltop, writer Dominic Cooper is inspired by the wild, stormy winters of the Ardnamurchan peninsula
A Rural Housing Crisis
Across Scotland, locals are being priced out and crowded out - but communities are now working hard to address the issue
A Historic Centre
Glasgow's Mercat Cross may not be as old as it appears but it's still seen many changes, along with an ebb and flow in prosperity
A Bird With A Brain
Jim's encounters with the raven in several northern countries have only increased his respect for its intellect and ingenuity
The Warrior King
On the 750th anniversary of his birth, Robert The Bruce's legacy as cultural keystone and historical enigma continues to fascinate
All Going Swimmingly
From Tutti Frutti to Shetland, Monarch Of The Glen to Granite Harbour, Dawn Steele's heart will always be in Scotland - and the sea
Following The Coos
The latest charity art trail aims to a-moos-e and delight visitors to Perth and Kinross this summer