Impressionist Rory Bremner discusses his 40-year career, why school trips are vital and what guests at the School Travel Awards ceremony can expect.
Widely regarded as the UK’s top impressionist, Rory Bremner has impersonated hundreds of well-known figures over the past 40 years from Clinton to Cameron, Bush to Trump and Attenborough to Basil Fawlty.
From his satire series Bremner, Bird & Fortune to his appearances on Mock the Week, Rory blends stand-up with conversation and, as well as entertaining, he has shaped political discourse and worked to champion those with ADHD.
He told us: “There has never been a plan – I just love performing. It makes me very happy to make an audience happy and that, coupled with the travelling, is the greatest thing about the job.”
Rory realised early on he had a gift; him and his brother used to do impressions of Dame Edna who featured in their record collection, but it was his French teacher who, in his words, ‘changed my life’.
“He was an extraordinary teacher who understood how my energy could be pointed in the right direction. As a result, he became the first character that I did publicly”, Rory said.
Soon after leaving university where he studied French and German, Rory received a call from the BBC to do a satirical radio programme called Week Ending and then he was ‘off and away’.
“The other thing about school trips is that they broaden horizons and introduce you to a part of the world or a part of the country that you may go back to later in life.”
Rory Bremner
He has been touring the UK with a new show, Making An Impression, in which he looks back on his career – and he shared a particular sketch that has had audiences in stitches: “Donald Trump decides that he doesn’t fancy going to Windsor and would rather have a Fawlty Towers dining experience. So, we get Basil Fawlty and Trump together, which is quite fun, but I won’t give too much away.”
Rory didn’t want to give too much away about the School Travel Awards ceremony, just that guests can expect “topical satire, the odd voice from the past and some old favourites.”
Rory’s views on school trips
Asked what his earliest memory was of a trip, Rory recalls: “I was born in Edinburgh and remember going skiing on an artificial ski slope – and then on an actual skiing trip. We went on a ferry across the Channel, and it was very rough.”
He added: “I have experience with ADHD and particularly for children who are neurodiverse, being able to get out of the classroom is very important.
“I think an environment where children can discover themselves outside the classroom and can make friendships and can bond over enthusiasms, is great. The value of school travel is the ability for children to develop relationships and to discover themselves outside the classroom.”
Rory added: “The other thing about school trips is that they broaden horizons and introduce you to a part of the world or a part of the country that you may go back to later in life.
“School trips also tend to be inclusive, which is great because sometimes there’s a tendency, particularly with special needs children, for them to feel a bit siloed.”
Passionate about travel in general, Rory shared some of his favourite places to visit: “I love the Lake District, Scottish Highlands - Oban. France too, it has got everything – the Alps, the south, the skiing, the beaches, vineyards, cheese, theatre and culture.”
Rory Bremner is the 2025 host and special guest for the School Travel Awards ceremony which takes place on Friday 21st November at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
The lunch and ceremony is the culmination of months of nominating, entering and voting and when all the winners will be announced.
For ticket and event information, visit: schooltravelorganiser.com/tickets
