Newcastle has been included on stand-up comic, author, playwright, actor and director Ben Elton's 2020 Australian tour.
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He last performed stand-up in Australia in 2006.
Elton returned to the stage - and his stand-up comedy roots - in September for a sold-out, 75-date UK tour, Ben Elton Live, which wraps up in December.
He first made his mark on the comedy scene more than 30 years ago, hosting Channel 4's groundbreaking Saturday Live.
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 as 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 February 7 the live theatre production of his hit BBC TV series Upstart Crow opens on at The Gielgud Theatre in London's West End.
A highly respected author, Elton has published 16 best-selling novels, six of which became number one bestsellers. Elton is also widely known for his writing for the stage which includes three smash hit West End plays and the global phenomenon We Will Rock You based on the music of British rock legends Queen. A serial award winner, he has won three BAFTAs, two Laurence Olivier Awards, The Royal Television Society Writer's Award, The Golden Dagger UK Crime Writer of the Year Award, The Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and the Eurovision Golden Rose D'Or Lifetime Achievement Award.
"The last time I toured I was still smarter than my phone. Things have definitely taken a funny turn," Elton said.
The Newcastle Herald spoke to him last week and can confirm he is in fine form, with plenty to say. You can read all about it in Saturday's Weekender.
