It’s fair to say that Edinburgh is more than just the Scottish capital. The city also has a remarkable knack for producing people who go on to have incredibly successful careers. Many of them have achieved great fame and reached colossal heights in their professional lives. Read more on edinburghski.
Among this diverse array of talents, figures from the world of culture have truly broken records. These individuals have become audience favourites.
One such figure is Rory Bremner (Roderick Keith Ogilvy “Rory” Bremner). This Scottish comedian and impressionist rose to prominence through his mastery of political satire and parody.
Early Years
The future entertainer was born in Edinburgh on 6 April 1961.
Interestingly, nothing initially suggested that Rory would become a comedian. He was a serious student of modern languages, particularly French and German, and in 1984, he graduated with a degree in the subject from King’s College London.
First Big Break
While still a student, Rory performed in cabaret and was an active member of the drama society. He first captured the public’s attention in 1985 when he released a single parodying the hit song “19” by Paul Hardcastle. On the track, Bremner impersonated cricket commentators, including the legendary John Arlott, Richie Benaud, and Brian Johnston. The parody referenced the England cricket team’s disastrous 1984 home series defeat against the West Indies.
A Flourishing Television Career
The single was a genuine breakthrough, and Bremner’s popularity soared. He was invited to appear on programmes like “And There’s More”, “Spitting Image”, and “The Week Ending”.
By 1987, Rory had his own sketch show on BBC Two, titled “Now – Something Else”. The programme ran successfully until 1993, when it moved to Channel 4. There, Bremner teamed up with John Bird and John Fortune to work on the show “Rory Bremner… Who Else?”.
It is important to note that, by this time, Rory’s work was taking on a more satirical edge.
In 1999, the show was renamed “Bremner, Bird and Fortune” and continued to air until 2010. During its run, it became incredibly popular, with the true highlight of the programme being Bremner’s impersonations of leading political figures.
Other Projects
Throughout the 1990s, Rory was also a frequent guest on the improvisational comedy show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”. In 2005 and 2006, he was a team captain for the first two series of the panel show “Mock the Week”.
Bremner could also be seen on the programme “Sunday AM”, where he would impersonate politicians as part of a review of the latest political events.
Work in Radio
Interestingly, a series Rory hosted on BBC Radio 4 enjoyed similar success. This was “Rory Bremner’s International Satirists”, a format that involved Bremner in conversation with impressionists and comedians from various European countries.
Activities Beyond Comedy
However, it is important to recognise that Rory’s career extends beyond parody and humour. He has also undertaken serious projects that further highlight his multifaceted talent.
For instance, in autumn 2009, he released the documentary “Rory Bremner and the Fighting Scots”, which explored the history of Scots serving in the British Army.
Rory has also translated three operas into English: Georges Bizet’s “Carmen”, Kurt Weill’s “Der Silbersee” (The Silver Lake), and Jacques Offenbach’s “Orpheus in the Underworld”.
Furthermore, in the spring of 2007, Bremner participated in the Great Brecht Fest, a festival dedicated to the German playwright Bertolt Brecht. The festival featured new translations of several short plays, including “A Respectable Wedding”, which was translated by Rory himself.
A Long-Awaited Return to Television
Bremner made a full-scale return to comedy in 2015, immediately delighting viewers with two new projects. These were the political satire programmes “Rory Bremner’s Coalition Report” and “Election Report”. The former was an ironic review of British coalition politics, while the latter was a sarcastic report on the 2015 General Election.
New Shows
However, Rory’s spectacular return to television didn’t end there. From 2016, he began appearing in several more shows, most notably “The Imitation Game”.
Bremner also returned to radio with the project “Desolation Jests”, joining the excellent company of Jan Ravens, David Jason, and his long-time collaborator John Bird.
Thus, by appearing in a variety of shows and projects, Rory Bremner won the hearts of television viewers and cemented his popularity.
Looking at his career path, it seems as though he built it carefully, step by step. He was certainly in no hurry, simply doing what he does best. Perhaps this approach holds the secret to his success. After all, rushing and unnecessary fuss can only lead one astray. By starting small, one can gradually conquer the greatest heights; all that is needed is patience and desire.