alistair mcgowan piano tour dates

Alistair McGowan

The nation's favourite impressionist, also known for his brilliant stand-up and acting. McGowan is best known for his work with Ronni Ancona on The more...

• Apr 21 Sun London, The Village Green Sunday Night Comedy Alistair McGowan, Funmbi Omotayo, Caroline Mabey, Stephen Bates, Mark Maier View Tickets

Fans who like Alistair McGowan also like

Punt & Dennis

Jo Caulfield

Jasper Carrott

Alistair McGowan Announces Spring 2022 Tour Combining Comedy and Classical Piano Music

Alistair McGowan – The Piano Show opens on Thursday 31 March 2022 in Hexham.

Master impressionist Alistair McGowan is embarking on a brand new tour during Spring 2022 which combines his incredible comedy talents with his new-found passion for classical piano music.

Alistair McGowan - The Piano Show opens on Thursday 31 March 2022 in Hexham, before heading to Barnard Castle, Alnwick, Cheltenham, Ivybridge, Taunton, Cardiff, Blackburn, Selby, Liverpool, Poole, Shanklin, Radlett, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Scarborough, Canterbury, Tetbury, and London's prestigious Cadogan Hall.

After 25 award-winning years in the world of comedy, Alistair McGowan began playing the piano in 2015. Within two years, he had released Alistair McGowan : The Piano Album through Sony Classical which topped the UK Classical album charts and reached No 2 in the Classic FM chart. The album featured 17 short piano pieces by composers including Satie, Chopin, Field, Grieg, Schuman, Liszt, and Glass.

Since 2018, Alistair has been playing the piano publicly to great acclaim (despite the odd mistake!), and his move from comedy at the highest level into the world of classical piano is unparalleled. He thinks he is the first person to mix stand-up comedy with straight classical music in a live setting.

Without training as a musician, his ability to perform in public under pressure and then to slickly mix the music with his stand-up routines and endlessly changing roster of impressions of zeitgeist celebrities is truly impressive, sets him apart - and makes for a very entertaining evening which Alistair describes: "Two shows in one. It shouldn't really work but, I'm repeatedly told, it does - thankfully. Audiences even seem to enjoy my mistakes, I don't!"

Alistair studied piano for two years as a boy but gave it up in favour of football and tennis.

He began working as a stand-up comedian in 1989 and soon found work on radio and television as well as taking shows to the Edinburgh Festival including When Harry Met Ally with Harry Hill in 1991. His own television series eventually followed in 1999 and, over four years, The Big Impression became one of BBC One's most highly-rated comedy programmes, winning a BAFTA in 2002.

He has also worked on television as an actor in programmes such as Mayo and Bleak House and in the film Driving Aphrodite with Richard Dreyfuss . On stage, he has twice played Henry Higgins in Pygmalion, twice played The Mikado, and was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance as the Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors in the West End, alongside Sheridan Smith .He has also written three biographical plays for Radio 4 about George Bernard Shaw and the composers, Erik Satie and John Field.

Alistair McGowan - The Piano Show demonstrates and showcases his love of all the art forms that have gripped him during his rich and varied career. And, in its two previous incarnations, he has introduced a new audience to short, classical piano pieces from composers including Cyril Scott , Yann Tiersen and Madeleine Dring, and has surprised classical music lovers by delivering - between the pieces - his impressions of Harry Kane, Raymond Blanc, and Roger Federer .

The 57-year-old says: "Rediscovering the piano as an adult has been a great joy to me, and being able to share that joy with others is both a privilege and a huge pleasure - although I continue to be in total awe of trained pianists who can play far more intricate pieces than I could ever attempt."

"After having to reschedule the tour due to the pandemic, I'm very much looking forward to this new tour and if it encourages someone else to follow their own dream, whatever their age, then that's even better."

Alistair has received plaudits from several classical musicians for the quality of his playing reminding us all that it is never too late to try to attempt what you love and what you and others may think is impossible.

QUEEN'S HALL ARTS CENTRE, HEXHAM

Thursday 31 March 2022 at 7.30pm

1-2 Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3LZ

Website: https://www.queenshall.co.uk/content/queens-hall-arts-centre

Box Office: 01434 652477

THE WITHAM, BARNARD CASTLE

Friday 1 April 2022 at 7.30pm

3 Horse Market, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY

Website: https://thewitham.org.uk/

Box Office: 01833 631107

ALNWICK PLAYHOUSE

Saturday 2 April 2022 at 7.30pm

Bondgate Without, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1PQ

Website: https://www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk/

Box Office: 01665 660550

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE, CHELTENHAM (Part of Cheltenham Comedy Festival)

Wednesday 6 April 2022 at 8pm

Parabola Road, Cheltenham, GL50 3AA

Website: https://cheltenhamcomedy.com/line-up/2022/Alistair-McGowan

Box Office: 01242 572573

WATERMARK THEATRE, IVYBRIDGE

Friday 8 April 2022 at 7.30pm

Erme Court, Leonards Road, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 0SZ

Website: https://www.ivybridgewatermark.co.uk/

Box Office: 01752 892220

THE BREWHOUSE THEATRE & ARTS CENTRE, TAUNTON

Saturday 9 April 2022 at 7.30pm

Coal Orchard, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1JL

Website: https://www.thebrewhouse.net/

Box Office: 01823 823244

ACAPELA STUDIO, CARDIFF

Wednesday 13 April 2022 at 8pm

Heol Y Pentre, Pentyrch, Cardiff, CF15 9QD

Website: https://www.acapela.co.uk/

Box Office: 029 2089 0862

DARWEN LIBRARY THEATRE, BLACKBURN

Thursday 21 April 2022 at 7.30pm

Knott Street, Darwen, BBC3 3BU

Website: https://bwdvenues.com/

Box Office: 01254 706006

TOWN HALL, SELBY

Friday 22 April 2022 at 8pm

Selby Town Hall, York Street, Selby YO8 4AJ

Website: https://www.selbytownhall.co.uk/

Box Office: 01757 708449

LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, MUSIC ROOM

Friday 29 April 2022 at 7.30pm

Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP

Website: https://www.liverpoolphil.com/

Box Office: 0151 709 3789

LIGHTHOUSE, POOLE

Thursday 5 May 2022 at 7.30pm

21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG

Website: https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/

Box Office: 01202 280000

SHANKLIN THEATRE, ISLE OF WIGHT

Saturday 7 May 2022 at 7.30pm

Prospect Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 6AJ

Website: https://www.shanklintheatre.com/

Box Office: 01983 868000

RADLETT CENTRE, RADLETT, HERTFORDSHIRE

Sunday 8 May 2022 at 7.30pm

1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 8HL

Website: https://www.radlettcentre.co.uk/

Box Office: 01923 859291

NEW VIC THEATRE, NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME

Wednesday 11 May 2022 at 7.30pm

Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 0JG

Website: http://www.newvictheatre.org.uk/

Box Office: 01782 717962

Stephen Joseph Theatre, SCARBOROUGH

Sunday 15 May 2022 at 7.30pm

Westborough, Scarborough, YO11 1JW

Website: https://www.sjt.uk.com/

Box Office: 01723 370541

CADOGAN HALL, LONDON

Tuesday 17 May 2022 at 7.30pm

5 Sloane Terrace, London, SW1X 9DQ

Website: https://cadoganhall.com/

Box Office: 020 7730 4500

THE GULBENKIAN, CANTERBURY

Wednesday 18 May 2022 at 8pm

University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NB

Website: https://thegulbenkian.co.uk/

Box Office: 01227 769075

TETBURY GOODS SHED ARTS CENTRE

Friday 10 June 2022 at 7.30pm

The Old Station Yard, Cirencester Road, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8EY

Website: https://shed-arts.co.uk/

Box Office: 01666 505496

UK Regional SHOWS

Recommended For You

Alistair McGowan – The Piano Show – UK TOUR 2022

by Glotime | Mar 18, 2022 | Celebrity , Featured , Film & Television , Glo Arts & Entertainment

“Two shows for the price of one: laugh out loud comedy and some surprisingly sensitive piano playing.” – James Lisney, Pianist.

Alistair McGowan – The Piano Show

UK TOUR 2022

A Unique Mix of Classic Comedy and Classical Music

AND ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF A NEW ALBUM OF CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC…

Master impressionist Alistair McGowan is embarking on a brand-new tour during Spring 2022 which combines his incredible comedy talents with his new-found passion for classical piano music.

Alistair McGowan – The Piano Show opens on Thursday 31st March 2022 in Hexham, before heading to Barnard Castle, Alnwick, Cheltenham, Ivybridge, Taunton, Cardiff, Blackburn, Selby, Liverpool, Poole, Shanklin, Radlett, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Scarborough, Canterbury, Tetbury, and London’s prestigious Cadogan Hall.

After 25 award-winning years in the world of comedy, Alistair McGowan began playing the piano in 2015. Within two years, he had released Alistair McGowan: The Piano Album through Sony Classical which topped the UK Classical album charts and reached No 2 in the Classic FM chart. The album featured 17 short piano pieces by composers including Satie, Chopin, Field, Grieg, Schuman, Liszt, and Glass.

Since 2018, Alistair has been playing the piano publicly to great acclaim (despite the odd mistake!), and his move from comedy at the highest level into the world of classical piano is unparalleled. He thinks he is the first person to mix stand-up comedy with straight classical music in a live setting.

Without training as a musician, his ability to perform in public under pressure and then to slickly mix the music with his stand-up routines and endlessly changing roster of impressions of zeitgeist celebrities is truly impressive, sets him apart – and makes for a very entertaining evening which Alistair describes: “Two shows in one. It shouldn’t really work but, I’m repeatedly told, it does – thankfully. Audiences even seem to enjoy my mistakes, I don’t!”

Alistair studied piano for two years as a boy but gave it up in favour of football and tennis.

He began working as a stand-up comedian in 1989 and soon found work on radio and television as well as taking shows to the Edinburgh Festival including When Harry Met Ally with Harry Hill in 1991. His own television series eventually followed in 1999 and, over four years, The Big Impression became one of BBC One’s most highly rated comedy programmes, winning a BAFTA in 2002.

He has also worked on television as an actor in programmes such as Mayo and Bleak House and in the film Driving Aphrodite with Richard Dreyfuss. On stage, he has twice played Henry Higgins in Pygmalion, twice played The Mikado, and was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance as the Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors in the West End, alongside Sheridan Smith. He has also written three biographical plays for Radio 4 about George Bernard Shaw and the composers, Erik Satie and John Field.

Alistair McGowan – The Piano Show demonstrates and showcases his love of all the art forms that have gripped him during his rich and varied career. And, in its two previous incarnations, he has introduced a new audience to short, classical piano pieces from composers including Cyril Scott, Yann Tiersen and Madeleine Dring, and has surprised classical music lovers by delivering – between the pieces – his impressions of Harry Kane, Raymond Blanc, and Roger Federer.

The 57-year-old says: “Rediscovering the piano as an adult has been a great joy to me and being able to share that joy with others is both a privilege and a huge pleasure – although I continue to be in total awe of trained pianists who can play far more intricate pieces than I could ever attempt.”

“After having to reschedule the tour due to the pandemic, I’m very much looking forward to this new tour and if it encourages someone else to follow their own dream, whatever their age, then that’s even better.”

Alistair has received plaudits from several classical musicians for the quality of his playing reminding us all that it is never too late to try to attempt what you love and what you and others may think is impossible.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY ABOUT ALISTAIR MCGOWAN

“Alistair McGowan’s impressions are faultless” – The Sunday Times.

“He plays piano splendidly” – The Observer.

“Alistair plays an impressive range of pieces with enviable touch and feeling” – Charles Owen, Pianist.

“Inspired and inspiring!” – Anthony Hewitt, Concert pianist.

UK 2022 Tour Dates

31st Mar         Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham

1st Apr            The Witham, Barnard Castle

2nd Apr          Alnwick Playhouse

6th Apr           Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham

8th Apr           Watermark Theatre, Ivybridge

9th Apr           The Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre, Taunton

13th Apr         Acapela Studio, Cardiff

21st Apr          Darwen Library Theatre, Blackburn

22nd Apr        Town Hall, Selby

29th Apr         Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Music Room

5th May          Lighthouse, Poole

7th May          Shanklin Theatre, Isle of Wight

8th May          Radlett Centre, Radlett, Herts

11th May        New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-Under-Lyme

15th May        Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

17th May        Cadogan Hall, London

18th May        The Gulbenkian, Canterbury

10th Jun         Tetbury Goods Shed Arts Centre   www.alistairmcgowan.co.uk

Search GloTIME

Latest glo’s.

• Zimpli Kids products makes the perfect Christmas stocking filler gift
• Coming Soon – Scalextric FAB1 from Thunderbirds
• Roger Daltrey & Adam Faith in ‘McVICAR’ – Out Now on Blu-ray & DVD
• TWIN TOWN – Available Now On DVD & Blu-ray

Born on this day

Pin It on Pinterest

Share this post with your friends!

• Print Friendly

Classic FM Breakfast with Tim Lihoreau 7am - 9am

Now Playing

Oboe Concerto No.4 in Bb major (2) Ludwig August Lebrun

Discover Music

Alistair McGowan – on wrestling with Bach, returning to the piano and playing billiards with Mozart

On 27 September the actor and impressionist narrates a concert at St John’s Smith Square, inspired by the reminiscences of an 18th century Irish tenor who was at the heart of Mozart and Haydn’s musical circle. We spoke to him about his love of Romantic music – and taking up the piano (again)…

You’re narrating a concert this month at St John’s Smith Square, London – in the character of an 18th century Irish tenor. Can you tell us about him?

Michael Kelly was alive at the same time as Mozart and Haydn – he was born in the late 18th century and became a very successful tenor. But he also wrote a very good series of reminiscences – he talks about playing billiards with Mozart regularly, and generally losing to him – and he mentions a particular concert at which Mozart, Haydn and Carl Ditter von Dittersdorf were all present. It’s like One Direction and Take That all performing together. And it’s that concert that this event at St John's Smith Square is trying to replicate. I'm narrating with my wife Charlotte Page, who plays a prima donna of the time – Nancy Storace.

Who was Michael Kelly and how did he end up in the same social circle as Mozart?

Dublin was the place to be at the end of the 18th century, there were so many musicians who went there. But the city’s musical star burned very briefly and the majority of people left Dublin at the end of the 18th century and went to Italy and then on to Vienna and Moscow. He was also a very good mimic and he actually landed his first role in an opera when someone overheard him doing an impression at a concert.

You’re something of a classical fan – but is the 18th century your favourite musical era?

When I was at university I was a bit odd because everyone else was listening to The Smiths and I was listening to Sibelius and Mahler – and loving it. And it’s always been that way, I’ve never been very into pop music at all.

But 18th-century chamber music isn’t an area of music that I know an awful lot about – that was one of the reasons I wanted to be involved in the concert. I really come in after this period, I like Liszt, Chopin and Rachmaninov but more recently I’ve fallen in love with Satie, Debussy and Ravel, their music particularly speaks to me.

Do you play anything yourself?

I started learning the piano when I was about nine, so I had the basics and then I stopped and tinkered around for a couple of years in my 30s without making any real progress. But over the last 18 months I met a piano teacher on a cruise we were doing together and she rather inspired me by saying “it’s never too late”. I said “I’m 50, what’s the point?”. And she said she knew somebody who started playing when they were 60 and this fellow was playing the Grieg Piano Concerto by the age of 80. And I thought, that’s what I’d like to go for – I’d like to get there before the age of 80, though.

I’ve been learning a piece by Bach with my piano teacher and it’s driving me crazy. I think Bach is a demon for musicians, like Shakespeare can be for young students of theatre.

What do you think are the best pieces for introducing people to classical music?

One of the pieces that introduced me to classical music was Grieg’s Peer Gynt but I also remember watching The Seven Year Itch as a teenager with my mum, which includes a bit of Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto. I asked my mum what it was and she went and got a record of it and we just listened to it for the next hour.

I also think the piano music of Satie, Debussy and – a composer I came across recently – Federico Mompou. Mompou’s Impresiones intimas are utterly utterly beautiful. I think this is the sort of music that would make anybody – whatever their background – interested in classical music.

And which composer, from the past or present, would you most like to meet?

It would either be Satie because I’ve read and written so much about him that I’d like to meet him and ask him questions about his life. But I have a feeling that we’re very different people and I think he’d be very bored by me very quickly.

So I’d probably have a quick meeting with Satie and then spend the rest of the evening with John Field, whose music I recently discovered on Classic FM and I was inspired to find out more about him.

Alistair McGowan narrates 'A Viennese Quartet Party' at St John's Smith Square on 27 September at 3pm. Visit the website for more information.

Discover music

See more Discover music

Freddie De Tommaso breaks down what exactly makes ‘Nessun dorma’ the greatest aria of all

Who is yunchan lim piano sensation’s debut chopin album, competitions and best performances, why were piano keys once white and black – and why did they reverse, hundreds of ballerinas set ‘en pointe’ world record in spectacular display, the piano on channel 4: what is the talent contest, who are the judges and when is season 2, nimble-fingered recorder virtuoso goes viral playing classical concertos in his car, best classical music.

See more Best classical music

The 15 most famous tunes in classical music

The 15 greatest symphonies of all time, the 4 eras of classical music: a quick guide, the 25 greatest conductors of all time, 30 of the greatest classical music composers of all time, the 25 best pianists of all time, classic fm live playlists.

See more Classic FM Live Playlists

Classic FM Hall of Fame

Classic fm relax, classic fm revision, classic fm pet classics, classic fm’s romantic classics, classic fm movie music hall of fame.

See more Browse by

Periods & genres

Instruments.

See more Mood

See more Occasions

Valentine’s Day

Latest on classic fm, alexander armstrong surprises music charity with ‘transformative’ £61,400 donation, the classic fm music teacher of the year awards 2024 with abrsm – nominate an inspiring teacher, new antonio vivaldi biopic announced, directed by oscar-winning filmmaker, the 15 most relaxing film scores, when 26-year-old hayato sumino caused a competition sensation with his shining chopin solo, classic fm live returns to the royal albert hall for a night of classical music anthems, 75% of students agree, classical music is the best soundtrack to revision, miloš karadaglić: ‘picking up the guitar was a complete accident – it’s now my best friend’.

Miloš Karadaglić

Classical Pride returns with 5-day festival with media partner Classic FM

‘music is vital to her’ – how neurodivergent the piano star lucy speaks through the piano.

Alistair McGowan embarks on UK tour

Latest posts.

• Comedy News
• Book Reviews
• Coming Soon
• Opinion Pieces
• Perfect Playlist
• Unforgettable Five
• Punching Up
• Mailing List

Find Live comedy

Live comedy in london | manchester | scotland.

Alistair McGowan: Introductions to Classical Piano

Show type: Tour

Starring: Alistair McGowan

Hot on the heels of both his classical chart-topping debut album, Alistair McGowan : The Piano Album and the critically-acclaimed new Sky One impressions show, The Week That Wasn’t ('Very, very, very funny' Chris Evans, BBC Radio 2), the multi-award-winning impressionist will be mixing (surely for the first-time) classical piano music and celebrity voices in his nationwide tour Introductions to Classical Piano.

Upcoming Dates

Sorry. We have no upcoming listings for Alistair McGowan: Introductions to Classical Piano.

Share this page

This comic also appears in:.

Alistair McGowan: Not Just A Pretty Voice

Alistair McGowan and Charlotte Page: Cocktails with Coward

Alistair McGowan: The One and Many

Cocktails With Coward

Get Up, Stand Up! Gala

Alistair McGowan: Damn Labels

Alistair McGowan: 12th Impressions

Erik Satie's - Faction

Search…

We see you are using AdBlocker software. Chortle relies on advertisers to fund this website so it’s free for you, so we would ask that you disable it for this site. Our ads are non-intrusive and relevant. Help keep Chortle viable.

• In London or across the UK
• at Edinburgh Fringe
• List Your Show
• Advertising
• Ballet & Dance

• Off-West End
• Regional & Tours
• Digital Theatre
• Join us as a Reviewer

Alistair McGowan

Alistair McGowan Announces Major UK Tour

Master impressionist Alistair McGowan is set to showcase his talents both as a comedian and a classical pianist on a major new UK tour which opens this spring.

Join the BAFTA-winning funnyman as he talks and plays his way through snatches of classical gems from Philip Glass to Chopin and Grieg to Gershwin in an evening that embraces both beautiful music and more than a sprinkling of his trademark impressions.

The 27-date The Piano Show tour opens at the Thornbury Arts Festival in Gloucestershire on Saturday May 2 and takes in towns and cities across the country from Alnwick and Liverpool to St Ives and the Isle of Wight, along with an evening at London’s prestigious Cadogan Hall on 15 th  May.

It comes in the wake of the success of his debut record Alistair McGowan: The Piano Album, recorded on Sony Classical, which topped the UK classical album charts – just four years after he took up the instrument again in middle age. It also reached No 2 in the Classic FM chart.

McGowan studied piano for two years as a boy but gave it up in favour of football and tennis.

You might also like

Sir Richard Stilgoe leads a stellar cast of Radio Live at London’s Cadogan Hall

Top Radio Names Swap The Airwaves For Stage Tour To Celebrate 50 Years Of Radio 4

When he graduated in drama from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1989, he began working as a stand-up comic and actor on stage – where he was nominated for an Olivier for his performance as the demon dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, radio and on television.

His work includes The Big Impression, which was one of the BBC’s most successful and highly rated comedy programmes and for which he won a BAFTA.

A successful 30-year career also encompasses sketch and playwriting.

The 55-year-old actor, writer, impressionist and musician says: “ Rediscovering the piano as an adult has been a great joy to me, and being able to share that joy with others is both a privilege and a pleasure.

“I’m very much looking forward to this new tour – it will give me the chance to play some particular favourites, accompanied by light-hearted anecdotes and biographical facts about their composers, and of course add in a few impressions along the way.

“And if it encourages someone else to follow their own dream or ambition, whatever their age, then that’s even better. ”

Staff Writer

At Theatre Weekly we are dedicated to giving theatre a new audience. Our News, Reviews and Interviews are all written with the audience in mind, helping you decide what to see next. And when you have decided, our great ticket deals will help save you money too.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Policy Agreement * I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .

• Join Our Community
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Terms and Conditions

Recent News

Review: 1884 at Shoreditch Town Hall

Original Theatre’s Murder in the Dark to Stream on Original Online

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

• Off West End
• Regional & Tours

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

ALISTAIR MCGOWAN

Alistair McGowan is an impressionist, actor, writer of jokes, plays and sketches, stand-up comedian and, latterly, pianist.

His early career on Spitting Image and The Big Impression , two of TV’s most popular shows, made him a household name. An inspired and inspiring entertainer, Alistair is in demand for theatre touring, voice-overs and corporate engagements. Adding to his well-known stand-up, Alistair recently toured three shows,   An Evening Shared with Jasper Carrott & Alistair McGowan , The Piano Show and Radio Live.

At the age of 49, Alistair went back to the piano (having reached Grade 2 as a nine-year old), achieving a No. 1 Sony album that grew into successful live concerts with a difference. The Piano Show , 13 short pieces interspersed with Alistair’s trademark impressions, is ‘the classical concert you’ve always wanted to see’. A second piano album followed.

In 2023, Alistair moved to the beautiful town of Ludlow, in Shropshire, where he set up the Ludlow Piano Festival, featuring celebrity piano concerts and piano concerts ‘with a difference’, a mix of words, music, dance and comedy. The 2024 programme “includes a headline act from Italy whose ‘Baroque and Roll’ programme has to be seen (and heard) to be believed”. Alistair is also a patron of the Ludlow Fringe, and in 2024 will publish a book of poetry, ‘Not What We Were Expecting’, published by Flapjack Press, to be released on 12 June.

ALISTAIR MCGOWAN – The Piano Show

Following the success of his Sony album, which reached No 1 in the UK Classical Album charts, comes Alistair McGowan’s new show, combining his talents as master impressionist and comedian with his new-found talent as a classical pianist!

Join Alistair as he plays classical gems by Glass, Chopin, Gershwin, Grieg, Debussy, Tiersen and Satie – expect a lot of beautiful music (with the odd mistake!) and more than a sprinkling of his trademark impressions.

“…the audience drank it in… Alistair can become classical music’s secret weapon” David Mellor, The Mail on Sunday

“Alistair McGowan’s impressions are faultless” The Sunday Times

“He plays the piano splendidly” The Observer

“Alistair plays an impressive range of pieces with enviable touch and feeling” Charles Owen, pianist.

“Two shows for the price of one: laugh-out-loud comedy and some surprisingly sensitive piano playing” James Lisney, pianist.

“Inspired and inspiring!” Anthony Hewitt, Concert pianist.

North West End UK

News, Reviews and Interviews from theatres across the UK

Alistair McGowan: The Piano Show – Cadogan Hall

Alistair McGowan’s show is a “game of two halves”, a unique blend of stand-up impressions and classical piano. McGowan’s self-titled debut album reached No 1 in the Classical Album charts, launching his rebranded career as a classical pianist. His second classical album has also just been released. In this new show, he combines his abilities as well-known impressionist and comedian with his more recent classical music talents.  His career so far has been as eclectic as this show; he starred in The Big Impression, one of the BBC’s top-rated comedy programmes for four years, has worked in the West End (Art, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Mikado), written plays and books and provided voice-overs for Spitting Image.

McGowan’s impressions are spot-on, with some well-known voices mixed with lesser-known figures from the worlds of politics, sport, TV and film. There’s a bit of political satire sprinkled in, but it’s done with an inoffensive light touch.  He cleverly mingles his intros to the classical composers with the impressions and contemporary jokes. Not all the jokes or impressions land, but the majority do and there are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments in between the quiet concentration on the music. 

Having resumed playing piano only in his late forties, after reaching Grade 2 at the age of 9 before giving up in favour of football, McGowan demonstrates an innate affinity with the music. He plays with the sensitivity and clarity of a man who really understands the pieces he’s playing and who has clearly chosen the work of composers he loves. There’s a wide range of music from Gershwin, Chopin, Debussy to Glass and Satie, the well-known plus some possibly less well-known pieces by composers such as Yann Tiersen.

This is a show that really shouldn’t work. Somehow it does, the combination of faultless impressions and beautiful piano playing all driven by McGowan’s affability. The message from this enjoyable show is that you should never give up on a talent you love. It’s never too late. 

McGowan’s tour now continues to Canterbury, Hexham, Alnwick, Barnard Castle and Tetbury.  Tickets are on sale from: http://highfieldproductions.com/alistair-mcgowan/tour-dates/

Reviewer:  Carole Gordon

Reviewed: 17th May 2022

North West End UK Rating: ★★★

• Discount Codes

Alistair McGowan says it’s “harder” to do impressions for younger audiences

“Younger audiences just don’t watch television in the way they used to”

Alistair McGowan has said his career as an impressionist is “drawing to a close” as his act “doesn’t really work” on modern audiences.

The actor and comedian, who is best known for his BBC sketch show The Big Impression which ran between 2000 and 2004, discussed the state of his career during an interview with The Scots magazine (via the Independent ).

“I still do some live shows but that is drawing to a close now as I am not feeling motivated enough,” McGowan said. “When I have done certain events recently, I have noticed that younger audiences just don’t watch television in the way they used to.

“The younger audience particularly has no idea who these people are, so my whole methodology doesn’t really work for a modern audience. It works for an audience my age or above, and for those I am very happy to dust off my old impressions and throw in a few new ones. But it has gotten harder and I am less interested.”

McGowan, who has recently performed shows as a pianist, was previously known for impressions of former prime minister Tony Blair, former England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, among others.

“Before, I would sit in front of a television show and watch people and think about impersonating, but now I’ll sit in front of the piano,” he added. “Things do still come in and if I need to work on a voice I will, but I’m not trying to perfect the latest football manager, like I would do in the old days.”

Recommended

Along with The Big Impression , McGowan provided voices on the sketch show Spitting Image and hosted ITV sports show You Cannot Be Serious! in 2012.

Elsewhere, it was recently reported that Sacha Baron Cohen will reprise his character of Ali G for a new stand-up tour.

• Related Topics

You May Also Like

Jack antonoff: “i’ve always felt really misunderstood – it’s like a driving, pounding feeling in me”, ben schwartz is on a mission to save improv: “so much comedy has been dying”, touring luxembourg with francis of delirium, the indie star making big waves in a tiny country, ‘fallout’ review: learn to love the bomb in this fun yet flawed adaptation, ‘life eater’ review: twisted kidnapping simulator strikes at the heart, more stories, emma stone credited on taylor swift’s ‘florida’ from ‘the tortured poets department’, george the poet: “kendrick lamar is a non-revolutionary cosplaying as a revolutionary”, pink sues pharrell over attempt to trademark ‘p.inc’ brand name, morrissey says he’s bought back the rights to two albums from capitol records, watch bring me the horizon bring out sleep token’s iv for ‘antivist’ in australia, patti smith responds to taylor swift name-check on ‘the tortured poets department’.

Red Square & Moscow City Tour

• Page active

Description

Highlights:.

• Experience medieval Kitay Gorod (China town).
• Wander picturesque Red Square and Alexander Garden.
• Explore grand Christ the Savior Cathedral on our Red Square tour.
• Breathtaking panoramic views from Patriarch bridge.
• Enjoy a hearty lunch on the large open verandah and marvel at the stunning views of the Kremlin.
• Learn about Russian culture from the local through relaxed cultural discussions.

Tour Itinerary:

Red square:.

Russia and Moscow are synonymous with Red Square and the Kremlin and that's hardly surprising as you'll find these places absolutely stunning!

• - Walk-through the Resurrection Gate and don’t forget to flip a coin so you’ll be sure to come back one day!
• - Visit the world's famous Kazan Cathedral .
• - See the State Department Store (GUM), once the Upper Trading Stalls, which were built over a century ago and still operating!
• - Admire the lovely St. Basil's Cathedral! The French diplomat Marquis de Custine commented that it combined "the scales of a golden fish, the enamelled skin of a serpent, the changeful hues of the lizard, the glossy rose and azure of the pigeon's neck" and wondered at "the men who go to worship God in this box of confectionery work".
• - Walk by Lobnoye Mesto (literally meaning "Execution Place", or "Place of Skulls"), once Ivan the Terrible's stage for religious ceremonies, speeches, and important events.
• - Entering the Alexander Garden , you’ll take in spectacular views of Russian architecture from ancient to Soviet times, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame. Watch Changing of the Guard Ceremony every hour in summer and every half an hour in winter.

Kitai-gorod:

Stroll along medieval Kitai-gorod with its strong ancient Russia feel, known for its bohemian lifestyle, markets and arts.

• - Nikolskaya Street. Here you will find the Russia's first publishing house, the second oldest monastery, and Ferryn Pharmacy, known as the number one pharmacy back in Soviet times and famous for its Empire-style architecture.
• - Ilinka Street. The financial street of the Kitaigorod (China Town) district, where you’ll find the Gostiny Dvor (Merchant’s Yard), which is now a showroom for Ferraris and Maseratis. The street was designed in the 1790s by Catherine the Great.
• - Varvarka street. The oldest street in Moscow, which dates back to the 14th century, and still has remnants of early Muscovite architecture, such as the Old English Court and the Palace of the Romanov’s.
• - Kamergersky Lane. Only a small road of about 250 meters, it is home to some of the oldest artifacts of the city, as each building holds a fascinating story. Some of Russia's most famous writers, poets, and composers from as far back as the Golden Age of Russian culture, have lived or worked on this lane.

Historic City Center

Walk the historical old center of Moscow with its cool local vibe, including the main Tverskaya street , and indulge in desserts in the first grocery “Eliseev's store” , housed in an 18th century neoclassical building, famous for its baroque interior and decoration.

From our tour. Impressions of our American tourist:

At 3:30, as energy flagged, lunch was on the agenda at a Ukrainian restaurant.  Just in time!  We asked our guide to order for us.  We all had the same thing....borscht (the Ukrainian version has beans and more tomatoes than the Russian version, which has more beets and includes beef). 

The special high bread served is called galushki.  Our main course was golubtsy...a dish of minced meat rolled in braised cabbage leaves.  Both dishes called for optional sour cream as a topping....of course, yes, please....I recommend it. 

Full, satisfied, and completely refreshed, it was off to Red Square and St. Basil's and GUM department store.  Red Square is not so named because of the color of the brick walls of the Kremlin.  Rather the word for 'red' and the word for 'beautiful' are similar in pronunciation....and, there you have it. 

As we made the turn by the National Museum in front of which is the mounted sculpture of the "Marshall of Victory," Giorgy Zhukov from WWII and caught our first view of St. Basil's, my friend and I simultaneously emitted "Oooohhhhh!"  There it was....the iconic onion domes of St. Basil's!  Hooray....it was open until 7....we had about 30 minutes and were allowed in, AND we could take photos with no flash. 

Now, I can give you a taste of what we saw in the other cathedrals in Cathedral Square.  What we learned is that St. Vasily and St. Basil are one in the same....Russian/English.  He was a common man who wandered Moscow unclothed and barefoot.  But, all, even Ivan the Terrible, heeded his opinions derived from his visions.  Ivan had this cathedral built over his tomb. 

As we exited and took photos up close of the onion domes, Inna presented us with chocolate (how did she know we were ready for another energy boost, and we each got a big piece of chocolate.  The baby's name pictured on the wrapper of this famous Russian chocolate is Alyonka....the Russian Gerber baby, don't you think? 

One could wear out the credit card in GUM's (capitalized because it is actually a government abbreviation), but the 'kitty' and my credit card stayed in my pocket as we strolled through the glass-topped arcade. 

We then strolled through some of Moscow's lovely pedestrian streets; paused to listen as a wonderful quartet performed Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" in an underground passage to cross the busy street (hooray!....we DID have our 'classical concert' experience after all; a request Alina tried in vain to fill because none was scheduled those days), saw the Bolshoi, which means 'big' (my friend has yet to recover that their performance schedule did not coincide with our cruise), saw the Central Telegraph Building, dating from the 1930's, and made our way to the Ritz-Carlton to see the night view of Moscow from the rooftop bar, called O2. 

There were fleece blankets to wrap yourself in....yes, it got that cold when the sun set.  We each ordered something hot to drink...the ginger, mint, lemon tea served to me in a parfait glass (for 600 rubles...about $9....you pay for the view here!) was delightful and hit the spot perfectly.  It was time to call it a night....

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting city tour, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time.

*This Moscow city tour can be modified to meet your requirements.

Write your review

Moscow Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

Our 60 most popular moscow trips. compare tour itineraries from 45 tour companies. 308 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating., popular moscow tours.

St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Winter

• Explore the majestic St Petersburg & Moscow on private city tours
• Admire the rich Russian history, art and architecture
• Travel to Moscow on a highspeed train
• Enjoy the local cuisine in stylish restaurants

Lower Volga Voyage

• Visit magnificent Red Square and Kremlin and examine the collection at theKremlin’s State Armory.
• Experience Russia’s diverse musical traditions at lively folk music performances
• Explore Volgograd, the site of the decisive battle of World War II’s eastern front

Volga Dream Russian River Cruise

St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Summer

White Russian - 7 days

• Discover Moscow's UNESCO-listed Red Square, home to spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and the historic GUM Department store
• Explore the grounds of Moscow's mighty Kremlin, with its numerous governmentbuildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the giant tsar bell
• Celebrate New Year's Eve in Moscow!
• Take in the highlights of St Petersburg including a guided tour of the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the remarkable Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace

Vodka Shot - 6 days

• Explore the beautiful city of St Petersburg, including the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Nevsky Prospekt
• Marvel at the dazzling array of art and exhibits in the world-famous Hermitage Museum, at the Winter Palace in St Petersburg
• Discover a lavish residence of the tsars on a day trip to Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo (winter: mid-October to April) or Peterhof Palace and gardens (summer: May to mid-October)
• Take in the highlights of the capital on a walking tour, visiting Moscow's famous Red Square, home to the historic GUM Department Store, Lenin’s Mausoleum and spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the Moscow Kremlin, Russia’s political power house. Stroll around the grounds of this fortified complex, visit the Kremlin's cathedrals and see the mighty Tsar Bell

Route of the Romanovs - 10 days

• Learn about the last days of the Romanovs in Yekaterinburg, visiting the sites where Tsar Nicolas II and his family were assassinated and buried
• Straddle two continents at the famous obelisk Europe/Asia border marker in Yekaterinburg
• Experience the Trans-Siberian railway on an overnight train journey from Moscow to Yekaterinburg

New Year's in Moscow - 9 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo on Christmas Day and marvel at the incredible Amber Room
• Spend a night in Novgorod, an ancient city by the Volkhov River - explore the kremlin, cathedral and other sights and enjoy a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

All Moscow , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Moscow

Small Group Moscow Tours

Back in the USSR - 7 days

Russian Revolution - 9 days

• Visit historic Novgorod, an ancient city which straddles the Volkhov River. Explore the attractive riverside kremlin and experience a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

The Snowball - 6 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo and marvel at the incredible Amber Room

Mood for Moscow - 4 days

• Head underground to visit a Stalinist-era Soviet Bunker on an optional excursion
• Stroll to the vibrant Izmailovo Market, which lies behind the walls of an ancient Kremlin, and shop for an array of souvenirs

Best Moscow Tours by Duration

Tours, Cruises & Private Trips

Best Moscow Tours by Price

Top Moscow Attractions & Experiences

Moscow Tours & Travel Guide

Moscow Attractions & Landmarks Guide

Moscow reviews & ratings, capitals of the north.

some hotels could have been better

It was jam packed with every place I wanted to go and see. I especially love my photo of us setting out on the night time river cruise in St Petersburg and the Peter...

I really did not buy much and what I did buy was small gifts for others .

Johanna-Marie

Good hotels, some better than others. Interesting itinerary

Too rushed. Optional tour rather too short

See all Moscow reviews

Moscow Tours FAQ

1. Does Travelstride have all the tour operators?

2. How does the Member Savings program save me money?

3. Can I trust the tour operator and trip reviews on Travelstride?

4. What does ‘Stride Preferred’ mean?