IMPRESSIONIST Jan Ravens, famous for brilliant impersonations of politicians and celebrities, is bringing her brand of satirical humour to Swindon Arts Centre this Sunday.

Jan stars in the popular Dead Ringers show, which had seven series on BBC2 and is still running on Radio 4. Now, after a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe, she is on tour with her show Difficult Woman, mixing comment on the current political climate with her own personal journey as a ‘difficult woman’.

Talking to Jan before the show, she says so far it has proved a particular hit with women looking for a girls’ night out with their friends.

“I started the tour in Cheltenham and it went really well. Lots of women have been coming along – having a couple of glasses of wine before and having a laugh.

“I do lots of political stuff – Theresa May, Nicola Sturgeon, Hillary Clinton – then it develops into what life is like for the rest of us in our 50s.

“There are more women in positions of political power now, but in real life many things are not so great – think of the terrible state of care for the elderly, for example.”

Jan has enjoyed a brilliant and varied career, as an actor, entertainer and impressionist – including a slot on Channel 4 programme Skins, the comedy sketch show Ronni Ancona and Co, Countdown, QI and Question Time. Jan was once a contender on Strictly Come Dancing and she won Celebrity Mastermind. She was also (for viewers of a certain age) the voice of the seductive cartoon rabbit in the Cadbury’s Caramel advert for several years.

She says her impressions can be tiring – as she slips into an uncannily accurate imitation of our prime minister’s voice – and that Theresa May’s diaphonic voice is a challenge.

“Sometimes she sounds like a nervous teenage boy,” Jan says. “Doing the impressions make me realise many people don’t use their voices very well!”

The run at Edinburgh was her first at the Fringe, and reviews have been positive – particularly highlighting Jan’s tribute to the late Victoria Wood.

“For women of my generation, and younger women too, she was such an inspiration. She was the first to make jokes that women could particularly relate to,” Jan explains.

“There were not so many women in the media and politics when I started out, and there are many more now – which of course is brilliant for me.”

Jan’s show begins at 8pm at the arts centre in Devizes Road. Tickets are £16.50 from 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk