We spoke to Group Leisure & Travel Awards host Luke Kempner about theatre, comedy, travel and what guests can expect at the five-star ceremony in London on Friday 12th June.
West End star and comedian Luke Kempner is not short of variety. With TV credits including Murder in Successville, The Last Leg and The Royal Variety Performance, he is also one of the UK’s most successful impressionists – taking on the likes of Louis Theroux, Donald Trump and Jeremy Clarkson.
But it was starring as the iconic comedic character of Thénardier in the West End production of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre that Luke says was his “dream come true”.
“I like everyone to have a good time. I want it to be a party. I’m going to bring a general, happy, friendly, fun vibe.”
Unsurprisingly a huge fan of live performances, from theatre to comedy and everything in-between, we asked Luke what he loves the most about performing: “I love that everything exists in that moment. I remember being on stage and a moth started attacking me, and the microphone. There’s something about the fact that you can’t create those moments that I love.”
Now famous for making people laugh, Luke gained global attention in 2012 with his hit viral video, Downstairs at Downton. His career has grown from strength to strength since and in 2023 he sold out his Edinburgh Fringe Festival run with acclaimed show, Gritty Police Drama: One Man Musical, which saw him pack an incredible 60 impressions into 60 minutes.
But how did it all start?
“As a kid, I began just doing impressions from TV shows like the Tweenies, and a Playstation game called Croc. Then I did football impressions, and some of the teachers at school. Funnily enough I’m still friends with some of my teachers, they were usually the ones who found me a little bit funny but weren’t allowed to admit it.”
We asked Luke what attracts him to a certain character in the first place, when he is coming up with impressions. He told us: “It’s all sorts of things – accent is always a big thing that you’re looking for that straight away. You’re trying to find a comedian in every new person.
“One of my first celebrity impressions that I did online was Andy Murray. I could always do his accent and then my face almost becomes him and I built the funny on top of that.”
He told us that comedy “is the best medicine”, adding “comedy just brings people together. We’re in a world of AI and some horrendous things going on but if we can all laugh, then everything can seem a little bit sunnier.”
And what can guests at the GLT Awards ceremony in London on Friday 12th June expect?
Well, plenty of energy and a lot of laughs. Luke said: “I like everyone to have a good time. I want it to be a party. I’m going to bring a general, happy, friendly, fun vibe.”
Quick-fire questions…
Favourite person in your impressions repertoire?
It’s often people I admire like Alan Carr, I love him so much and I enjoying being in his ‘skin’ and could talk to you for an hour as him.
But probably the biggest one for me has been the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, because I’m a huge Arsenal fan.
I got to meet Arsene and do my impression for him and he looked at me I must say, a little bit confused. But he said, well done, very funny.
What’s next for you in terms of theatre?
I’m going back on the Les Mis Arena tour. It’s been amazing, I’ve been around China and Japan doing some big arenas playing Thénardier. I’m going back to the tour for three nights in Dublin.
Any experience of group trips?
Well having been in the West End, we had many a group trip coming along to see a show and I loved seeing people getting back onto their coach afterwards - there’s such excitement on a coach trip! I remember first getting into the theatre because of going on school coach trip to see a show.
Is there anywhere that you would go back to over and over again?
Japan. It’s incredible - the food, the people, the way they have mastered everything. Everything is so beautifully efficient.
In the UK, I love Scotland, it’s a beautiful country. My wife’s from Edinburgh so I have spent a lot of time there and north of Edinburgh. The British summer is pretty unbeatable.
The GLT Awards 2026 dinner and ceremony takes place on Friday 12th June at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London. Group travel professionals, tour operators, and industry suppliers are encouraged to book early to secure their place.
For event and ticket information click here.
A special thank you to our 2026 Awards Partners…
