Reality TV collides with period drama Downton Abbey in this brilliant new parody coming to Bishop’s Stortford.

Impressionist Luke Kempner has created an original story in which the characters of Downton Abbey are in crisis and have to call upon modern celebrities to help the cast of Downton save the estate from financial ruin – again!

Audiences will get to see the 26-year-old play the part of 40 different characters – including the Dowager and Alan Carr – in his one-man show The Only Way is Downton.

It follows the success of his YouTube hit Downstairs At Downton, which he made two and a half years ago.

Speaking to the Broadcast he said: “I have always done impressions from when I was at drama school – it has really come from wanting to show off. I started off by putting videos on YouTube after I had been doing some musical theatre.

“I just really wanted to take the impression thing on further. When I uploaded Downstairs at Downton, it got viewed by Stephen Fry, Matt Lucas and Tom Jones and it just went from there. It has changed my life.”

The idea for the show, directed by Owen Lewis, came from Luke’s love of Downton Abbey and he claims it is a “laugh a minute”.

“I do write for people my own age but I have had an audience full of people in their 80s who have loved it,” he added.

“It is also for people who do not watch Downton Abbey. I love playing Maggie Smith’s character, the Dowager. I also love playing Andy Murray. Alan Carr also makes an appearance – that is really good fun.

“I am never nasty about people. I always find that my impressions are never horrible as I do not think that is very funny.”

Luke has seen the success of his show – which boasts sell-out Edinburgh runs, two West End seasons and UK tours – turn into a full-time career. and later this year he will be taking it to the States.

He said: “It is pretty knackering but it is great fun. I am loving the opportunity to be going around with my own show.”

Luke will be performing at the Rhodes Theatre, in Bishop’s Stortford, on Friday, February 20. Tickets cost £15.

For more information visit rhodesbishopsstortford.org.uk/events/the-only-way-is-downton