Alistair McGowan (Emcee)

Actor and impressionist Alistair McGowan, probably best known for The Big Impression which was for four years (and 30 shows) one of BBC1's top-rated comedy programmes, is joining the cast of Kander and Ebb's seductive musical Cabaret at the West End's Lyric Theatre.

After graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1989, McGowan began working as a stand-up comic and was soon a regular at London's famous Comedy Store as well as making several appearances at The Edinburgh Festival. He performed as a stand-up on Tarbuck Late, Des O'Connor, Saturday Live, The Clive James Show and the 1996 Royal Variety Show and appeared on various panel shows including That's Showbusiness, 29 Minutes of Fame and Call My Bluff. The Big Impression, which McGowan wrote and co-starred in with Ronni Ancona, won numerous awards, including a BAFTA in 2003.

His theatre work includes Goodbye America (Eastern Angles), The Pied Piper (Worcester Swan), Kafka's Dick and Endgame (Nottingham Playhouse), Art (Wyndham's) The Government Inspector and 5/11 (Chichester), Merry Wives: The Musical (RSC), and Little Shop of Horrors (Duke of York's/Ambassador's)for which he received an Olivier Award nomination. McGowan recently played the title role in The Mikado at the Gielgud.