Phil Cool DVD Release / Tour & Interview

Dubbed ‘the world’s only stand-up chameleon’, impressionist extraordinaire Phil Cool was first seen by viewers of the BBC’s Pebble Mill at One in the mid-eighties, an appearance leading on to three phenomenally successful series for the BBC and international fame for Cool. In the early nineties, his success was further cemented with these brilliantly surreal series for Central Television. PHILCOOL/COOL HEAD (12) will be available to own in a 2-disc set on 20 August 2012, RRP £19.99 and coincides with his current tour. The full list of dates are outlined below.

Both Cool Head and Phil Cool showcase his unique talents to the full, with a mix of stand-up comedy, sketches andastonishing rubber-faced metamorphoses; from Rolf Harris to Mick Jagger, Keith Joseph to the Pope, the Prince of Wales to ET, no-one and nothing is off-limits for Phil Cool! On-screen participants include the real Rolf Harris, Dillie Keane (Fascinating Aida), Jon Glover (Spitting Image) and Sophie Thompson (EastEnders).


PHIL COOL/COOL HEAD (12) is a Network DVD title

Release Date: 20 August 2012

RRP: £19.99

Running Time: 300 mins (approx.)

Screen Ratio: 1.33:1 colour

No. of Discs: 2

PHIL COOL is currently on tour:

Saturday 18th August 2012 Ayr Town Hall Box Office: 01292 269793

Saturday 15th September 2012 Square Chapel Arts, Halifax Box Office: 01422 349422 www.squarechapel.co.uk

Thursday 20th September 2012 The Palace Theatre, Redditch Box Office: 01527 65203 www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk

Friday 21st September 2012 The Palace Theatre, Newark Box Office: 01636 655755 www.palacenewark.com

Friday 28th September 2012 The Quay Theatre, Sudbury Box Office: 01787 374 745 www.quaytheatre.org.uk Saturday 13th October 2012 Astor Theatre, Deal Box Office: 01304 381134 www.theastor.org

Friday 26th October 2012 Mill Arts, Banbury Box Office: 01295 279002 www.themillartscentre.co.uk

Friday 16th November 2012 The Central Studio, Basingstoke Box Office: 01256 418318 www.centralstudio.co.uk

Friday 7th December 2012 The Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury Box Office: 01227 769 075 www.kent.ac.uk/gulbenkian

Friday 8th February 2013 The Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham Box Office: 0121 446 3232 www.macarts.co.uk

Saturday 1 June 2013 Frome Memorial Theatre Box Office: 01373 462795 www.fromememorialtheatre.org.uk

The Interview

To date, what has been your career highlight?

1. My first concert at Leeds Grand theatre in 1985. I'd just done my own national TV
series and the venue was busting at the seams.

How did you first get into impressions, and was there one particular impression that lit the fuse?
1. I first did impressions in my school days of my teachers and headmaster, but I
graduated to film stars and celebrities by first doing 'All the Cowboys' of the day. John Wayne, James Stewart, Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. The impression that really 'lit the fuse' though was the American, comic actor 'Phil Silvers'.

Do you believe the art of impersonating can be taught, and if so, how?

1. I don't believe it can be taught, lots of people have a natural ability, but only those who develop an obsession for it end up head and shoulders above the rest and turn it into a profession.

How long, on average, does it take for you to master a new impression?
1. Every one is different. The ones that you look and sound similar to in the first place. Do generally come quicker. I don't have the remotest chance of perfecting David Cameron. My wife tells me he looks like Bazil Brush. I say, "some use that is, I can't do him either".

The Rolf Harris impersonation is a classic, but have you ever met – or been contacted by –someone you have done an impression of? What did they say?

1. Once, soon after doing a rather cruel Paul Daniels impersonation on TV I saw him in the reception of the BBC in London, fortunately he didn't see me, so I gave him the
widest birth I possibly could. I didn't want a confrontation, because I feared he might
get up on his tip toes and bite my knee. My producer did meet him though at the BBC
in Birmingham and said "Paul, I hope you didn't mind Phil Cool's impersonation of you" and he replied "who's Phil Cool" good reply Paul.

Do you have a favourite impression?
1. The impression that has served me well the most over the years must be Rolf, but the one that gets the biggest laugh in my current show is David Beckham. So I'd say that's my favourite for now.

What’s your opinion on the current comedy/impressionist scene in the UK?
1. I don't really have one, all I can say is that the job must be a lot harder now because at one time where there was only 4 channels on TV now there are hundreds, plus the Internet, so the viewing population is fragmented. Despite this Jon Culshaw and Alistair McGowan are doing a great job. Culshaw's professor Brian Cox cracks me up. I'm not familiar with the new ones yet on 'Very Important People'.

What can fans expect from the upcoming live tour?
1. Anything but an impressions only show. I do a two hour show with a break. This
comprises of my trip to America which is full of impressions along the way. Then a stab at how show business has been reduced to a load of tribute acts, which includes a little Clairvoiant character from Wakefield Yorkshire who can contact the spirit world and summon up Elvis from 'the other side'. Also a routine about broken Britain which
culminates in a passionate speech by Winston Churchill from beyond the grave. And
music impressions from Johnny Cash to Paul McCartney and from Jonathan Ross to
Eric Morcambe. A lesson in 'faceology'. Also a sketch featuring David Attenborough in
the jungle. A Joe Brand routine, a poke at Brain Cox and much, much more.

Are there any modern day celebrities you would like to try and impersonate?
1. I've got enough on my plate at the moment, but Dynamo might be an impression
impossible.

And finally, what advice would you give to any young aspiring impressionists?
1. Take up music or get a job at McDonnalds, or both.