Stella Street

"A lot of famous people live on this street." Michael Caine guides us 'Alfie' style around his ordinary but not ordinary life on Stella Street, a street in sleepy London suburb, Surbiton. Somehow a vast number of stars (and Jimmy Hill) have all ended up living on the same street, including Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, David Bowie, Mick and Keith from the Stones and many more. Impressionist and Comic Strip regular, Phil Cornwell has teamed up with fellow impressionist and film actor, John Sessions to make the comedy impressionists dream show. Directed by accomplished comedy director, Peter Richardson and written by the two stars, 'Stella Street' is an irreverant, anarchic, surreal, well-observed and down-right hilarious comedy. The first series was shot on a particularly thin shoe string and gained a cult following after late night showings on BBC. Series two boasted many more characters, a slightly glossier look and even nearly had a plot structure. Series three will appear sometime in early 2000. Anyone who likes the slightly weirder side of British comedy will love it, only Hollywood could be stranger than Stella Street.

I was one of the many people who saw this originally and just thought "Huh?" Missing the wonderfully surreal point of the show. I've since bought both the videos and am thoroughly looking forward to series 3

Who could forget Jack Nicholson's unexplained obsession with Shreddies, or Al Pachino's Ikea fetish? Or David Bowie's "Laughing Man" tour? Michael Caine's "liver crossed with a spleen" shaped pool and Mick & Keith period. MORE! MORE!

Picture this - one Saturday night I come home after downing five or six drinks too many, switch on the TV, start channel surfing and end up watching a Michael Caine impersonator giving a tour of the street he lives in. It turns out that his neighborhood is populated exclusively by other celebs - Jack Nicholson, Joe Pesci, Mick'n'Keef, Dirk Bogarde, David Bowie, and who knows who else. For a minute I think I've finally flipped my lid, but very quickly I go with the flow, and enjoy one of the funniest and most original comedies to come out of the UK.

British comedians Phil Cornwell and John Sessions between themselves impersonate all the characters that live in 'Stella Street'. Some are absolutely spot on, like Caine, others like Bogarde take a while to work out. Anyway, it doesn't really matter. Give it a go and you'll find yourself quickly hooked on the mundane yet surreal goings on of 'Stella Street's inhabitants. A wonderful, wonderful show!!

Stella Street seems like your average English street until you realise who lives there: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, David Bowie, Michael Caine, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Jimmy Hill. Mick and Keith even run the corner shop. Moreover, they're all played by two actors: John Sessions and Phil Cornwell.

Brilliant. Incredibly funny as John Sessions and Phil Cornwell absolutely nail their impressions of a host of famous names. Throw in some quirky plots, character traits and settings (e.g. Mick and Keith running the corner shop) and this is fantastic TV.

Stunningly creative and funny.