Debra Stephenson on how getting back on stage is ‘such an amazing celebratory thing’

Virgin Radio

27 Jul 2022, 13:32

Actress and impressionist Debra Stephenson joined the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky to talk about returning to the Edinburgh Fridge with her new show. 

The Many Voices of Debra Stephenson promises to take audiences on a journey through the decades, from Billie Holiday to Billie Eilish, via Celine Dion and Britney Spears, along with many other celebrity and politician voices. Debra told Stephen Mulhern, who is in this week for Chris, that fans don’t have to wait until the Edinburgh Fringe to see her: “I’m also doing a preview, actually, tomorrow at The Regent Centre in Christchurch… and also at the Electric Palace in Bridport on Friday night. 

“I’d love people to come along and see, just because there’s a bit of new material in there that I want try out, and I just need to kind of oil the machine, because it’s been a few years now, and such an amazing celebratory thing for me to get back on stage, with everybody there, assembled together. 

The impressionist added: “I mean, did we think it was ever going to happen? We were thinking, ‘Gosh, life as we know it is now changed forever.’ But we’re going to be back and having a laugh together, so I’m really happy.”

Debra first appeared on our screens when she was just fourteen years old, on the BBC talent show Opportunity Knocks, where she reached the live final. She also appeared on Blue Peter at a similar age. When Stephen asked Debra what her first ever impression was, she replied: “It’s a toss-up between Kate Bush and Margaret Thatcher.” She then burst into an impression of the latter, saying: “When I was about six, I remember saying, ‘When I become Prime Minister…’ so that was definitely a long time ago. Long before she said, ‘The lady is not for turning.’”

After impressively mimicking Kate Bush singing, Debra said: “This show’s got all of those in, with some new ones. Some Adele, Billie Eilish, all of that. So, it’s singing impressions and also comedy impressions.”

Stephen asked Debra whether doing impressions is teachable, to which she said: “I think it is teachable, I really do. Because I taught [X Factor’s] Ray Quinn on [an] ITV show. 

“Celebrities had mentors, and we had to teach them new skills. So one guy had Penn and Teller teach him magic, somebody else was doing… oh I didn't really take that much notice of what everyone else was doing! We were so focused. And Ray won. Ray did all kinds of amazing impressions that he couldn’t do before, like Joe Pasquale and Keith Lemon.”

Taking this news as inspiration, Stephen asked Debra whether she could teach him to do an impression then and there, live on the radio. You can hear Stephen’s attempt at doing Bruce Forsyth, as well as his Lorraine Kelly impression earlier in the show, by catching up here.

The Many Voices Of Debra Stephenson runs at the Edinburgh Fringe from Friday 5th to Sunday 28th August, at Assembly, George Square. Tickets are available from assemblyfestival.com.

For more great interviews listen to  The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky, weekdays from 6:30am on Virgin Radio, or  catch up on-demand here.