Ben Elton

Ben Elton exploded onto the comedy scene more than 30 years ago, hosting Channel 4’s groundbreaking Saturday Live. Since then Elton has achieved huge success as a stand-up comic, author, playwright, actor and director. He’s written television shows such as The Young Ones, Blackadder 2, Blackadder The Third, Blackadder Goes Forth, The Thin Blue Line, the famous ‘exam’ episode of Mr Bean and many more, as well writing and directing two feature films: 2000’s Maybe Baby and 2017’s Australian-made Three Summers. Last year he wrote Kenneth Branagh’s critically acclaimed biopic of William Shakespeare All Is True which starred Judi Dench and Ian McKellen. On 7 February 2020 the live theatre production of his hit BBC TV series Upstart Crow opens on at The Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End. As Ben says: “The last time I toured I was still smarter than my phone. Things have definitely taken a funny turn.” ? ? ? ? ‘Elton’s timing and phrasing remain impeccable, his structure is masterly’ The Daily Telegraph ‘Just give him a stage and a microphone and Ben Elton is the best. No contest’ The Sunday Times ‘There is nothing, absolutely nothing to beat Ben Elton live!’ Evening Standard