‘80s comedy icon Benjamin Charles Elton, more commonly known as Ben Elton, the undisputed godfather of modern stand-up, will be heading to Darlington and Stockton in January. He brings his tour-de-force stand-up show to our region, following his critically acclaimed sell-out tour in 2019, which marked his return to live comedy after a fifteen-year break.
Ben, now in his mid-60s, is travelling pretty much anywhere and everywhere with his new show Authentic Stupidity, which argues that stupidity – not artificial intelligence – is the real threat to humanity. The show continues its immense tour of the UK & Ireland, with an international leg and a stint in London’s West End just days before it arrives at Darlington Hippodrome on January 22nd, followed by Stockton Globe on January 29th.
Elton is widely remembered for his comedy genius, fast-paced wordplay, timing, and context. But he is also a multifaceted talent as a writer, actor, director, author, and, of course, comedian. After graduating from university in the early ‘80s, he became the youngest-ever scriptwriter to join the BBC. His first success came as a co-writer for the television series The Young Ones, in which he occasionally appeared. He then teamed up with Richard Curtis to co-write the successful Blackadder series, starring Rowan Atkinson, which led to Elton becoming a stand-up comedian in his own right. He also hosted Saturday Live, helping to introduce many emerging acts.
Elton continued to work both in front of and behind the camera for many years, accumulating a long list of credits in film and TV, along with several BAFTA awards. He also wrote sixteen novels, multiple stage plays, and helped develop major West End theatre productions, collaborating with the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber. But perhaps most notably, his hit musical We Will Rock You earned him one of two Olivier Awards in his collection.
For a great night filled with side-splitting laughter from the legend himself, see Ben Elton live at Darlington Hippodrome on January 22nd. Tickets are available at darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk. Alternatively, come back for a second dose of laughter when he arrives at Stockton Globe on January 29th. Tickets are available at stocktonglobe.co.uk.
