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Behind the scenes at Leeds lookalike agency
Francesca MacDuff-Varley.
She’s the Leeds showbusiness impresario who surely ends some days seeing double.
Francesca MacDuff-Varley is a dancer-turned-businesswoman who runs Morley-based agency A-List Lookalikes & Entertainment.
It’s basically a one-stop shop for every lookalike need, with the acts on its books ranging from dead ringers for Madonna, Michael Jackson and other icons through to less predictable names such as Edwina Currie and Albert Einstein.
Francesca gave the Yorkshire Evening Post a sneak peek behind the scenes of her bustling offices for the penultimate part of our focus on the world of the celebrity impersonator.
Tucked away in the upper reaches of an old textile mill on New Bank Street in Morley, her mini-empire also includes a dance agency and rehearsal studios.
But on this occasion, it’s the tricks of the lookalikes trade that the YEP is here to talk to Francesca about.
She reveals that, for many people, success in the industry can be as much down to timing as whether their face fits the bill.
Asked to pick her dream lookalike, she says: “It’s a difficult one, as their popularity changes with seasons, events and public interest
“For example, when Prince William and Kate Middleton got married, the Royal lookalikes were doing two or three jobs per day leading up to the ceremony.
“Another example is the World Cup. David Beckham might be popular all year round, but lookalikes of other team members and managers always rise in popularity when there is a big football event.
“You also get shortlived lookalike booms when a reality TV show – such as The Only Way Is Essex – creates Z-list celebrities.”
Originally from Surrey but now a proud adopted Loiner, Francesca goes on to explain that the nuts and bolts of her corner of showbiz are more complicated than most people might imagine.
“First of all you have the basic lookalike, usually a great doppelganger for the celebrity they are impersonating,” she says.
“These characters are based on looks alone and are great for photographic work and modelling.
“Then there are the soundalikes, they’re used for voiceovers and radio adverts.
“The best combination is a lookalike who also sounds like their double.
“These are perfect for personal appearances and live TV.
“On the flip side of our business we have a lot of tribute acts.
“These are people who tend to have a look of the celebrity, but more importantly they sing like them and have perfected their stage mannerisms.
“Obviously the ultimate performer is a lookalike, soundalike and tribute, for example our Marilyn Monroe [Suzie Kennedy].”
Francesca, whose Dance Mob agency supplies performers for so-called ‘flashmob’ publicity stunts, also has plenty of hints and tips for would-be acts looking for a way of breaking into the industry. She advises:
* Do contact a reputable agency with clear, good quality photos;
* Don’t spend a fortune on professional shots before anyone has said there is a future for you in the lookalike business;
* Do embrace the character fully in terms of looks, style and mannerisms;
* Don’t forget who YOU are, remember you are not the celebrity you are portraying;
* Do view it as a great part-time income, a fun way to travel and an interesting way to meet new people;
* Don’t expect guaranteed, regular work unless you are the top lookalike of someone who is a major league celebrity.
“These are tough times for all businesses and sadly the entertainment industry always tends to be hit first when budgets start being cut,” admits Francesca.
“Saying that, we are holding our own and steadily building. We’re maintaining a reputation as the UK’s top agency of our kind.
“People really love celebrities – their style, looks, fashion and lives. Therefore lookalikes will always be popular, I think, as accessible stand-ins for the stars providing great entertainment at parties.”
For more information on Francesca’s agencies, visit the www.alistlookalikes.co.uk or www.thedancemob.co.uk websites.
* Do you reckon you’ve got what it takes to be a lookalike? E-mail your pictures to shirley.whitehead@ypn.co.uk and we’ll print the best ones.
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