Lookalikes for corporate events, parties, wedding entertainment

A day in the life of Little Britain   Tribute act Littler Britain  by Mohammed Aziz
Gav & Stu meet intrepid reporter		In just a few short months Stuart Morrison and Gavin Pomfret have  redefined the comedic lookalike world and raised the standard expected of every lookalike. They regularly play in packed venues around the UK and sometimes beyond, much like their more famous doppelganger doubles. Together they have eclipsed what is expected of lookalikes and can firmly put themselves in the Tribute Act category so strong is their performances.
Almost nightly they are mistaken for Matt and David themselves, or rather the grotesque gaggle of alter egos they have created.  I know this as I have spent a reather chaotic couple of days following them on a typical gig but, what does it mean to be in Littler Britain? How do the most successful comedy lookalike double act do what it is they do? What is it like to be a Littler Britoner? I recently travelled with them to a gig for The Toby Henderson Trust a Newcastle based charity for children with Autistic spectrum disorder. The charity was holding a ladies night and what better host than the ultimate "Laydee" Emily Howard, accompanied by Vicky Pollard and just for a laugh Lou and Andy. To paraphrase the inimitable Tom Baker's Little Britain voiceovers. Who is them? What do they? I went along on a recent road trip to Newcastle for a charity gig, the rest is writ below.

Away the lads It is an early start when I meet the chaps outside Gavin's house in Walton, Stuart looks barely awake, despite the two Costa coffees he informs he has had. Gav is babbling away, not making much sense to me but his good nature is infectious. "I don't do 6am!" grumbles Stuart. "Come on mate" chimes in Gavin trying to ease Stuart into his frame of mind. The cab driver is 15 mins late but the lads don't seem to mind and then the banter starts when they try to put two large cases, a makeup box as big as a snap on toolbox and a wheelchair into the family saloon taxi cab. It's reminiscent of one of those early Max Sennett slapstick silent movies. In goes a case, out comes a person, in goes the chair, out comes a case. The cab driver is starting to get a bit frustrated and his arm movements are getting animated and then seemingly as if by magic all of us are in the cab, bags, boxes, chair and all.

Up, up and away The flight to Newcastle is uneventful except for the four autograph hunters who pester both chaps in the departure lounge, apparently they remember them from their brief appearance on the Richard and Judy show, where they met each other. The boys mess about with the "fans" and when pressed do some impressions which sets off a ripple of applause from the waiting passengers who are all		Great Britons!
bored sitting about, waitng, after all this is the domestic terminal, no such entertainment here as flight side shops, bars and cafes, except for the tired Costa Coffee shop. Eventually the flight boards. The boys banter through the flight, not taking anything seriously, the only moment of mild concern from the flight crew was when Gavin asked "Can I fly the plane, just for a few minutes", his dead pan face a perfect mask, not giving anything away. "I'll settle for another cup of tea though" he lets the tension go and we can all breathe again. I asked him if he was concerned that one day someone may take him seriously and the response may not be what he expects. "With a face like this I have to work hard to be taken seriously."

Trying to lighten the mood I ask "How do Matt and David feel about you two?" "Without their permission to do this it would be sooo much harder" Chips in Gavin "Yeah, doors have been opened for us that could have stayed firmly shut, and their generosity of spirit comes across in their humour, which although it is cruel and crude, remains fun." Stuart is definitely the more		Chocks away!
verbose on matters of the mind, not to say Gavin isn't a thinker, it's just Stuart uses more words to illustrate his points, sometime too many for the listener to take in. Maybe this is from his time as a writer? I was going to ask him about this when the Captain interrupts with our ETA of 10 minutes. Stuart and Gav mock the announcement to the amusement of the BA cabin staff. All thoughts tthen to the headlong rush to get off the plane, or disembarking and exiting the airport as the Captain initially says. We leave the airport and a taxi to the Hotel is hailed, a larger people carrier trundles forward, easily larger than the previous cab and the costumes, and accompanying luggage is swallowed up in no time.

Halfway there		Stuart is laconic and laid back about the flight, "It's just a pain travelling, car, boat, train, plane, arriving is great though, gigging is a lot of fun and more so now there's two of us". Stuart alludes to his time spent as an Ali G lookalike. "How different is it doing Little Britain to Ali G?" I ask "Ali G was great, well loved, but Little Britain is 10X bigger, it cuts across cultural, familial and sexual lines, giving it a bigger audience
and in some ways giving everyone in the country a common cultural reference point, maybe in some ways Little Britain has united Great Britain?" The question is half ironic, but I sense he has a serious point to make.

Gavin reclaimed from the hold		Booking into the Copthorne Hotel I see Stuart and Gavin perplex the staff, annoy the Concierge and crack up two other guests, it's like being in the eye of a particularly funny hurricane. Most people instantly seem to warm to them, it's like they instinctively know how far to push the socially acceptable boundaries and people are prepared to let them. It's quite nerve racking to witness as you expect them to
be barred for harrasing the staff. Eventually with the check-in formalities duly completed in about twice the time most people would do it we retire to their room for a pre-gig drink of tea and coffee. They assure me they never drink before a gig, I don't think they need it! They settle down in their room and I ask them a few more questions. "Stuart, have you always been funny?" "Errr, peculiar or haha?" "Both"		Stuart compares waxing notes
"Well I have a big extended family and at gathering you either sank or swam, gave as good as you got, adults, kids, grandparents, all were able to banter with the best of them" "Did you ever upset family members?" "Nah, well at least I never found out if I did. Everyone in my family has a thick skin, I don't mean rude or ignorant, just impervious, yes, that's a better word, impervious to insults thrown in jest. It was a matter of skill in your word play to be able to put other people onto a lower rung of a ladder" "Gavin, when did you find out you were funny?" "I guess that after I left school I realised I was able to get better co-operation when I made people laugh. It breaks down barriers, and so I just developed my act." "Do you really see it as an act?" "Well we all act? Don't we? We act annoyed to get discount in a restaurant, act surprised even though we know what the present is, I just wanted to get on so did it with the skills I had. Other people may use other social skills, I used humour." "When you two guys met did you make each other laugh?" "Yes" Both respond in unison. "How?" "Gavin was just outrageous in what he used to say to people, and still is. I thought that kind of uninhibited behaviour was refreshing as I have lost a few people along the way because I have told them exactly what I thought when asked. Girlfriends especially." "Gavin, what does Stuart do to make you laugh?" "He's like an old woman sometimes worrying about silly things but he can then come out with some quite incredible comebacks, in what seems like a nano second." "We share a common sense of silly" ads Stuart

You will lose to Arsenal, I repeat, lose to Arsenal.		Gig Time Time is getting on so the chaps decide to get to the venue. Getting into this cab is, to coin a catchphrase "Kerffufle free". The cab drops us off at St. James' Park, home to Newcastle Football Club. The boys hadn't told me in advance where the venue was other than "Newcastle". It's a shock to me as I was expecting a Church hall, or a function room at the hotel. But no, it's a massive suite at one of the UK's premier football clubs.
Carolyn and Wendy introduce themselves and immediately Stuart and Gavin start with the banter again. The women fall about, and cannot resist their line in questions, all asked in high pitched posh effeminate voices. "Are you married?" Stuart enquires "Hehehe, no" counters Wendy "Vibrators are such a relief though aren't they?" Stuart delivers the line perfectly timed to do as much damage as he can but does so with an almost conspiratorial air that defies you to be outraged. Both Carolyn and Wendy are reduced to almost hysterics. And this sets the pattern for the rest of the night. Gavin and Stuart are ushered into a corporate box overlooking the pitch to change in, and 30 mins later Little Britain, courtesy of Emily Howard and Kenny Craig emerge.
A good time was had by all The sell out event goes down a storm with over 300 tickets sold it promises to be a busy night for the boys. Emily is introduced and Stuart goes on and improvs a 20 minute monologue as Emily Howard that has the crowd roaring with laughter. It's obvious Stuart has done this many times before and we are in safe hands. Gavin takes over and literally mesmerises the crowd as Kenny.		I'm (nearly) a Lady
This section of the night goes without a hitch, some mix and mingle follows and then Stu 'n' Gav are out of their costumes and into Andy and Lou. This is what I have come to see, the pair working together, and I am not disappointed. The likeness, the impression and the whole performance IS Lou and Andy. I have to keep reminding myself that it is Stuart and Gavin, so good is the likeness. A few people are making asides asking if they are the real ones? Many don't believe the reply when it comes. They work the floor like the pros that I have come to see they are. No one is left out, Grandmas, Matrons, flighty young things, all are pulled into the madness and are either insulted, chatted up, it's quite a sight to behold.
The boys meet the girls		What no taste? I then realise that this is a charity evening for children suffering from a disability I find new admiration for them, not only are they doing this gig, but they are really pushing the boundaries of acceptable taste and getting away with it. I can only put this down to one of two things, luck or skill. After seeing them perform though, I can see it's definitely skill!
In conclusion Although I believe that the boys are lucky to look like David and Matt, but I do believe they are genuinely gifted in a comedic way I believe that their skill is the thing, which will see them grow beyond a Little Britain Tribute Act. Just as Lenny Henry, Billy Connolly and others started out in cabaret but moved into more mainstream consciousness I believe I witnessed the birth of a double act. I hope that I get to say that in ten years time, I was there and saw them in Newcastle in 2005. All I can say is if they can drop the masks and emerge as a double act in their own right then Look out Matt and David, you may just have some competition. Mohammed Aziz is a freelance journalist/writer and can be contacted via aziz@littlerbritain.com

LITTLE BRITAIN THEME NIGHT

Book a Little Britain theme night for your event, venue or guests. We come, bedeck your venue with Union Jacks and Llanddewi Brefi signs. Have Daffydd and Emily greeting your guests, Lou and Andy walking about and Anne and Kenny Craig creating mayhem. Our Digital photographer will snap your guests against our Union Jack backdrop for a momento. All told it's a great night and will tie in nicely with the upcoming tour of Little Britain. We supply prizes for the best dressed guest as a Little Britain character. The Little Britain Tribute Act - Littler Britain lookalikes can be booked by calling: 07970 741813 (24 Hrs) CLICK HERE TO READ REVIEWS OF LITTLEr BRITAIN Little Britain Lookalikes Little Britain Lookalike Tribute Act & Theme Night Stuart Morrison and Gavin Pomfret are perfect recreations of the Little Britain characters just the thing for your corporate "do", party, nightclub or whatever your venue, event or occassion. All the popular Little Britain characters are here just click their names to see pictures and read more about the Little Britain Lookalikes. Get an evenings entertainment from Emily Howard, Daffydd Thomas, Ray McCooney, Andy and Lou, Kenny Craig, Marjorie Dawes and Vicky Pollard or Anne (watch the decor though). As featured on Richard and Judy, BBC Radio at Madame Tussauds and appeared in OK and Star Magazine and coming to a venue near you soon! Book Little Britain Tribute act - LITTLEr Britain today!