Editing Ben Elton (section)

== Work ==

===Television===
Upon university graduation in 1980, Elton joined the BBC and became their youngest ever scriptwriter.<ref name=":1" />

His first television appearance came in 1981 as a stand-up performer on the BBC1 youth and music programme ''[[Oxford Road Show]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BFI Screenonline: Elton, Ben (1958-) Biography|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/476796/index.html|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> His first TV success, at 23, came as co-writer of the television sitcom ''[[The Young Ones (TV series)|The Young Ones]]'', in which he occasionally appeared.

In 1983/84 he wrote and appeared in [[Granada Television]]'s sketch show ''[[Alfresco (TV series)|Alfresco]]'', which was also notable for early appearances by [[Stephen Fry]], [[Hugh Laurie]], [[Emma Thompson]] and [[Robbie Coltrane]]. In 1985, Elton produced his first solo script for the BBC with his comedy-drama series ''[[Happy Families (1985 TV series)|Happy Families]]'', starring [[Jennifer Saunders]] and [[Adrian Edmondson]]. Elton appeared in the fifth episode as a liberal prison governor. Shortly afterwards, he reunited [[Rik Mayall]] and Edmondson with their ''Young Ones'' co-star [[Nigel Planer]] for the showbiz send-up sitcom ''[[Filthy, Rich & Catflap]]''.

In 1985 Elton began his writing partnership with [[Richard Curtis]]. Together they wrote  ''[[Blackadder II]]'', ''[[Blackadder the Third]]'', ''[[Blackadder Goes Forth]]'', and a failed sitcom pilot for [[Madness (band)|Madness]]. ''[[Blackadder]]'', starring [[Rowan Atkinson]], was a worldwide hit, winning four [[BAFTA]]s and an [[Emmy]].



Elton and Curtis were inspired to write ''[[Blackadder Goes Forth]]'' upon finding [[World War I]] to be apt for a situation comedy. This series, which dealt with greater, darker themes than prior ''Blackadder'' episodes, was praised for Curtis's and Elton's scripts, in particular [[Goodbyeee|the final episode]]. Before writing the series, the pair read about the war and found that: {{blockquote|All the lead up to the first World War was very funny. All the people coming from communities where they'd never bumped into posh people and all being so gung ho and optimistic. The first hundred pages of any book about the world war are hilarious, then of course everybody dies.<ref>{{cite news | title = I Have a Cunning Plan: 20 Years of Blackadder | url = http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/75e26fa6213945c992d2e177c8a4aa32 | publisher = [[BBC Radio 4]] | date = 3 June 2003 | access-date = 23 April 2015 }}</ref>}}

Elton and Curtis also wrote Atkinson's 1986 stage show ''The New Revue'', and [[Mr. Bean]]'s "exam" episode.

Elton became a stand-up comedian primarily to showcase his own writing, but became one of Britain's biggest live comedy acts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourbrisbane.com/whatson/events/html/events/1/81818.html |title=Brisbane – Ben Elton – Queensland Performing Arts Centre |website=Ourbrisbane.com |access-date=1 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930210004/http://www.ourbrisbane.com/whatson/events/html/events/1/81818.html |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref> After a regular slot on ''[[Saturday Live (British TV programme)|Saturday Live]]'' – later moved and renamed ''Friday Night Live '' – which was seen as a UK version of the US's ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', he became the host of the programme.

In 1990 he starred in his own stand-up comedy and sketch series, ''[[Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie]]'', which had a second series in 1994. (The title plays on ''[[The Man from UNCLE]]'': "Auntie" is a nickname for the BBC.) In 1989 Elton won the Royal Television Society Writers' Award.

''[[The Ben Elton Show]]'' (1998) followed a format similar to ''The Man from Auntie'' and featured [[Ronnie Corbett]], a comedian of the old guard that the "[[alternative comedy|alternative comedians]]" of the 1980s were the direct alternative to, as a regular guest. It was Elton's last high-profile network programme in the UK as a stand-up comedian.

Elton wrote the six-part sitcom ''[[Blessed (TV series)|Blessed]]'', starring [[Ardal O'Hanlon]] as a record producer, first broadcast on BBC1 in 2005. No further series was commissioned.

In April 2007, ''[[Get A Grip (TV series)|Get a Grip]]'', a new show, began on [[ITV1]]. Featuring comic sketches similar to those on ''The Ben Elton Show'' and staged studio discussion between Elton and 23-year-old [[Alexa Chung]], the show's aim was to "contrast Elton's middle-aged viewpoint with Chung's younger perspective" (although Elton was responsible for the scripts).

In ''[[Third Way Magazine]]'', Elton accused the BBC of allowing jokes about [[vicar]]s but not [[imam]]s. "And I believe that part of it is due to the genuine fear that the authorities and the communities have about provoking the radical elements of [[Islam]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thirdwaymagazine.co.uk/editions/april-2008/high-profile/positive-spin.aspx|title=Positive spin|author=Cary, James|work=Third Way|access-date=21 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070814/http://www.thirdwaymagazine.co.uk/editions/april-2008/high-profile/positive-spin.aspx|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 10 October 2010, Elton headlined the first episode of ''[[Dave's One Night Stand]]''.

Elton worked on ''[[Ben Elton Live From Planet Earth]]'', a [[Live television|live]] one-hour comedy show which debuted on 8 February 2011 on the [[Nine Network]] in Australia.<ref>Quinn, Karl: [http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/turning-back-the-clock-for-oldstyle-tv-variety-20110207-1ak3e.html Turning back the clock for old-style TV variety], ''The Age'', 8 February 2011.</ref> Live from Planet Earth was axed by the Nine Network on Wednesday 23 February 2011 after three episodes, despite having six commissioned.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/eltons-live-comedy-show-dies-after-three-episodes-20110223-1b5k4.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Elton's live comedy show dies after three episodes | date=24 February 2011}}</ref> The show's final airing rated 200,000 viewers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/23/3147002.htm |title=Nine axes Elton's comedy show – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |newspaper=ABC News |date=23 February 2011 |access-date=11 August 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110628233016/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/23/3147002.htm| archive-date= 28 June 2011 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2016 Elton wrote the sitcom ''[[Upstart Crow]]'', parodying the writing and family life of [[William Shakespeare]], and starring [[David Mitchell (comedian)|David Mitchell]] as Shakespeare. This programme ran for a second series in 2017, and a third series in 2018. A Christmas Special was aired on 21 December 2020.<ref>[[List of Upstart Crow episodes]]</ref>

In June 2023, Elton presented ''Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster'', a [[Channel 4]] documentary about [[rail privatisation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-zjb11t/ben-elton-the-great-railway-disaster-season-1/?episode=b-b4ixp1|title=Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster|website=radiotimes.com|access-date=28 June 2023}}</ref>

====As writer and producer====
Elton wrote and produced ''[[The Thin Blue Line (British TV series)|The Thin Blue Line]]'', a studio-based sitcom set in a police station, also starring Rowan Atkinson, which ran for two series in 1995 and 1996. A prime-time family show, its traditional format and characters won it the 1995 British Comedy Award and both the public and professional Jury Awards at Reims.

In 2012 a new sitcom for BBC1 was commissioned, written and produced by Elton starring [[David Haig]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/08/new-sitcom-from-ben-elton.html |title=New sitcom from Ben Elton |website=TV Tonight |date=3 August 2012 |access-date=2 February 2013}}</ref> Filming for a full six-part series of the sitcom ''[[The Wright Way]]'' (formerly known as ''Slings and Arrows'') was completed in late February 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kacey Ainsworth, Rufus Jones & Michael Falzon Cast in BBC One's Ben Elton Sitcom|url=http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2013/01/kacey-ainsworth-rufus-jones-michael-falzon-cast-in-bbc-ones-ben-elton-sitcom/|access-date=28 January 2013|author=Patrick Munn|date=5 January 2013}}</ref> It debuted in April 2013 to negative reviews.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Cole|first=Tom|title=Ben Elton's The Wright Way rubs critics up the wrong way|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-04-24/ben-eltons-the-wright-way-rubs-critics-up-the-wrong-way|magazine=Radio Times|access-date=27 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sherwin|first=Adam|title=Ben Elton mauled by critics after getting BBC sitcom The Wright Way badly wrong|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/ben-elton-mauled-by-critics-after-getting-bbc-sitcom-the-wright-way-badly-wrong-8586544.html|access-date=27 April 2013|newspaper=The Independent|date=24 April 2013}}</ref>

'''''Friday Night Live'''''

Elton returned to live British television on Channel 4 on 21 October 2022 as "Ringmaster"/host of a revival of ''Friday Night Live'', celebrating the 40th anniversary of the founding of Channel 4 and as part of their ''Truth and Dare'' season.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Harry Enfield, Jo Brand, Julian Clary and more join Ben Elton for Friday Night Live {{!}} Channel 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/harry-enfield-jo-brand-julian-clary-and-more-join-ben-elton-friday-night-live |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=www.channel4.com}}</ref> Speaking to [[Adrian Chiles]] on [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] on broadcast day, Elton readily admitted that because of the fluid UK political situation, "I honestly haven't written the first five minutes yet!"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-21 |title=TV tonight: for one night only, Ben Elton hosts Friday Night Live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/21/tv-tonight-for-one-night-only-ben-elton-hosts-friday-night-live |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Friday Night Live announces star-studded line-up for Channel 4 return |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/friday-night-live-channel-4-return-line-up-newsupdate/ |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=Radio Times |language=en}}</ref>

=== Radio ===
Elton starred with [[Adrian Edmondson]] in a sitcom based on the song "[[Teenage Kicks]]" for [[BBC Radio 2]]. A television version of ''[[Teenage Kicks (TV series)|Teenage Kicks]]'' for [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] has been made; Elton appeared in the pilot but was replaced by [[Mark Arden]] when it went to series production.

=== Novels ===
* ''[[Stark (novel)|Stark]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Gridlock (novel)|Gridlock]]'' (1991)
* ''[[This Other Eden (Elton novel)|This Other Eden]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Popcorn (novel)|Popcorn]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Blast from the Past (novel)|Blast from the Past]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Inconceivable (novel)|Inconceivable]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Dead Famous (novel)|Dead Famous]]'' (2001)
* ''[[High Society (novel)|High Society]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Past Mortem]]'' (2004)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevedow.com.au/default.aspx?id=176 |title=Steve Dow, journalist |website=Stevedow.com.au |access-date=11 August 2011| quote=We'd had a very happy time all together, so there were no old scores to be settled really, we'd been a pretty happy bunch... I didn't think my life to be more successful than anybody else's. If you're happy and honest and fulfilled in what you do, then you're having a successful life.}}</ref>
* ''[[The First Casualty]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Chart Throb]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Blind Faith (novel)|Blind Faith]]'' (2007)
* ''Meltdown'' (2010)
* ''Two Brothers'' (2012)
* ''[[Time and Time Again (novel)|Time and Time Again]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Identity Crisis (novel)|Identity Crisis]]'' (2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/identity-crisis-by-ben-elton-9780552771290|title=Identity Crisis|access-date=12 April 2019}}</ref>

=== Films ===
Elton appeared in amateur dramatic productions as a youth, notably as [[The Artful Dodger]] in the musical ''[[Oliver!]]''<ref>{{Cite web|author=Stephanie Merritt |url=http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/crime/story/0,6000,1345194,00.html |title=Guardian Unlimited Books – Mystery Man | work = [[The Guardian]] |date=7 November 2004 |access-date=11 August 2011}}</ref>

While in bit parts in his own TV series, he began professional film acting as CD in ''[[Stark (TV miniseries)|Stark]]'', the Australian/BBC TV series adaptation of his novel, in 1993. This was directed by [[Nadia Tass]] and filmed in Australia.

Elton played Verges in [[Kenneth Branagh]]'s film adaptation of [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Much Ado About Nothing (1993 film)|Much Ado About Nothing]]'', also in 1993.<ref>{{cite book |title=Film stars: Hollywood and beyond |last=Willis |first=Andrew |year=2004 |publisher=[[Manchester University Press]] |location=Manchester |isbn=0-7190-5645-4 |page=169 }}</ref>

==== Behind the camera ====
Elton wrote and directed the film adaptation of his novel ''Inconceivable'', under the title ''[[Maybe Baby (film)|Maybe Baby]]'' (2000) starring [[Hugh Laurie]] and [[Joely Richardson]]. It was a moderate UK success and distributed globally. The film was also nominated for a prize at Germany's Emden Film Festival.

In 2015, Elton wrote a song for [[The Wiggles]] for the Wiggle Town DVD and CD: ''The Wonder of Wiggle Town''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://westernweekender.com.au/2016/02/wiggling-into-penrith/|title=Wiggling into Penrith|first=Kate|last=Reid|date=23 February 2016|website=Westernweekender.com.au|access-date=7 August 2018}}</ref>

In September 2016, filming began in Western Australia on ''[[Three Summers]]'', a romantic comedy film written and directed by Elton, which was released in 2017.<ref name="threesummers">{{cite news|title=Ben Elton reveals Aussie movie|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/upcoming-movies/adopted-aussie-ben-elton-begins-filming-his-first-australian-movie-in-wa/news-story/8c8627b5fc0d6a6e6c85e9af246dd046|access-date=2 August 2017|website=News.com.au}}</ref>

Elton wrote ''[[All is True (film)|All is True]]'', released 2018, a speculative story of [[William Shakespeare]]'s years in [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] after his retirement from the theatre and move from London. Along with the filmcraft and acting, returning collaboration with [[Kenneth Branagh]], ''All is True'' shows Elton giving a more serious and biographical perspective to some of the same characters who appear in ''[[Upstart Crow]]''.

=== Musicals ===
Elton collaborated with [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] on ''[[The Beautiful Game (musical)|The Beautiful Game]]'' in 2000, writing the book and lyrics (Lloyd Webber wrote the music). ''The Beautiful Game'' won the London Critics Circle Award for best new musical.

He went on to write compilation shows featuring popular songs from the catalogues of pop/rock artists. The first was the musical ''[[We Will Rock You (musical)|We Will Rock You]]'' with music by [[Queen (band)|Queen]]. Despite unfavourable early reaction, this was successful in the [[West End theatre|West End]] and won the 2003 Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best New Musical.<ref>{{cite web|title=We Will Rock You|url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/we-will-rock-you|website=Londontheatre.co.uk|access-date=15 March 2013|author=Alan Bird|date=17 May 2002}}</ref> It has since opened in the US, Australia, Russia, Spain, South Africa, Japan, Germany, [[Switzerland]], Sweden, Canada, and The [[Netherlands]]. Elton also directed the 10th Anniversary Arena tour, in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=We Will Rock You revival set to tour Australia, arena style|url=http://aussietheatre.com.au/news/we-will-rock-you-revival-set-to-tour-australia-arena-style/|website=AussieTheatre.com|access-date=15 March 2013|author=Erin James|date=8 July 2012}}</ref> The musical ran for 12 years in London.<ref>{{cite news | last = Moreton | first = Cole | title = Ben Elton, interview: 'Michael Gove made an arse of himself' | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/11216107/Ben-Elton-Michael-Gove-Blackadder-first-world-war.html | date = 11 November 2014 | access-date = 23 April 2015 | work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] }}</ref> The character of Pop was originally played by Elton's ''[[The Young Ones (TV series)|The Young Ones]]'', co-star, [[Nigel Planer]].

His second compilation musical was ''[[Tonight's The Night (2003 musical)|Tonight's the Night]]'', based on the songs of [[Rod Stewart]], which opened in London's West End in November 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tonights The Night London theatre stage show|url=http://www.thisistheatre.com/londonshows/tonightsthenight.html|access-date=2020-11-15|website=www.thisistheatre.com}}</ref>

Elton worked with [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] on the musical ''[[Love Never Dies (musical)|Love Never Dies]]'', which opened in London's West End in 2010. It was the sequel to Lloyd Webber's ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'' (1986).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-03-08|title=Love Never Dies {{!}} The Show {{!}} A Note From The Composer|url=http://www.loveneverdies.com/the-show/a-note-from-the-composer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308065309/http://www.loveneverdies.com/the-show/a-note-from-the-composer|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-03-08|access-date=2020-11-15}}</ref>

Elton directed a new 20th anniversary tour of ''[[We Will Rock You (musical)|We Will Rock You]]'', that opened in February 2022 and visited over 25 cities in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|title=We Will Rock You 20th anniversary tour to be directed by Ben Elton {{!}} WhatsOnStage|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/liverpool-theatre/news/we-will-rock-you-20th-anniversary-tour-ben-elton_55371.html|access-date=2021-11-22|website=www.whatsonstage.com|date=19 November 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref> He will also make his theatre debut as the Rebel Leader (previously known as Pop) in a production of the show in 2023 at the [[London Coliseum]] from 2 June to 27 August. The 3 main cast members from the touring production will also be starring.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/we-will-rock-you-announces-full-west-end-cast-_58724.html/ | title="We Will Rock You" announces full West End cast – with Ben Elton set to make stage debut | date=12 April 2023 }}</ref>

Elton wrote and directed ''[[Twiggy The Musical]]'', a jukebox musical based on the life of ''[[Twiggy]],'' which had its world premiere at the [[Menier Chocolate Factory|Menier Chocolate Factory, London]] in September 2023 (originally titled ''Close-Up: The Twiggy Musical'') and will tour the UK from September 2025.

=== Stage ===
Elton has written five West End plays.

* ''Gasping'' (1990) was first performed at the [[Theatre Royal Haymarket]], London. It starred [[Hugh Laurie]] and featured the voice of [[Stephen Fry]].
* ''Silly Cow'' (1991) again at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London. It was written for and starred [[Dawn French]].
* ''Popcorn'' (1996) was adapted for the stage and went on a UK tour. It also toured Australia in a production starring [[Marcus Graham]] and [[Nadine Garner]] in its Eastern-States seasons. ''Popcorn'' won the [[TMA Awards|TMA]] Barclays Theatre Award for new play and the [[Olivier Award]] for comedy. The Paris production of ''Popcorn'' ran for a year and was nominated for seven Molière awards.
* ''Blast From the Past'' (1998) was also adapted for the stage and was produced at the [[West Yorkshire Playhouse]].
* ''[[The Upstart Crow]]'', like the TV series ''[[Upstart Crow]]'', a comic version of [[William Shakespeare]]'s life and society, and sharing some of the same actors and characters, opened in London on 7 February 2020. Starring [[David Mitchell (comedian)|David Mitchell]] as Shakespeare and [[Gemma Whelan]] as Kate, the play was intended to run until 25 April 2020, but only ran up to mid-March, with the remainder cancelled as a result of restrictions put in place due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/coronavirus-theatre-closure-events-west-end_51154.html |title=West End and UK Theatre venue performances cancelled due to coronavirus |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=16 March 2020 |website=What's on Stage |publisher= |access-date=2 April 2020 |quote=}}</ref> The play reopened in the West End at the [[Apollo Theatre]] for a ten-week season from 23 September until 3 December 2022.

=== Stand-up comedy ===
In 1981 Elton was hired by [[The Comedy Store (London)|The Comedy Store]] in London as [[Master of ceremonies|compère]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=Guardian Staff |date=2000-05-24 |title=Ben Elton: from Peter Pan to Maybe Baby |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/may/24/1 |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

He made two albums of comedy, ''Motormouth'' (1987) and ''Motorvation'' (1988).

In 2005 Elton toured for the first time since 1997, touring the UK with ''Get a Grip''. He toured Australia and New Zealand with the same show in 2006.

In September 2019, Elton embarked on a three-month UK stand-up tour, his first tour since 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thevoiceoflondon.co.uk/ben-eltons-first-tour-in-15-years/|title = Ben Elton's first tour in 15 years!|date = 7 December 2018}}</ref>

The New Zealand leg of the tour was interrupted in February 2020 by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. He resumed it over a year later once trans-Tasman quarantine-free travel was launched.<ref name="stuffMay2021">
{{cite web
 |last1=Schulz
  |first1=Chris
  |title=Ben Elton on his NZ tour: 'I'm coming raw and ready' 
  |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/arts/300300414/ben-elton-on-his-nz-tour-im-coming-raw-and-ready
  |website=Stuff
  |date=6 May 2021
 |access-date=22 May 2021}}
</ref>

In 2022, his sell-out UK stand-up final show was held at the [[Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea|Palace Theatre Southend]]. It was filmed for broadcast on free to air, [[Channel 4]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Steve |title=Ben Elton and James Acaster's stand-up specials air this week : News 2023 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2023/12/10/54662/ben_elton_and_james_acasters_stand-up_specials_air_this_week |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=www.chortle.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> 

His stand up tour "Authentic Stupidity" toured the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in 2024 and 2025, touching on themes of AI and generational shifts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-10 |title=Ben Elton - Authentic Stupidity Tickets - London Theatre {{!}} West End Theatre |url=https://www.westendtheatre.com/229828/shows/ben-elton-authentic-stupidity-tickets/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=www.westendtheatre.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>