While studying drama at the University Of Manchester, Ben Elton met Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson. They became part of the 80s alternative comedy movement and Elton’s first TV success came aged 23, when he co-created the sitcom The Young Ones. His subsequent TV comedy credits include Blackadder, The Thin Blue Line and Upstart Crow. He’s published 16 novels, while his work for the stage includes the Queen musical We Will Rock You. Now he has written and directed Close Up: The Twiggy Musical, which has its world premiere on 18 September.
How long has your new musical, Close Up, been in gestation?
About 20 years in its vaguest form, ever since I first met Dame Twiggy. Her daughter, Carly, was such a huge Blackadder fan that Twigs invited Richard Curtis and me to a dinner party. We became friends and have met up regularly since. Twiggy has lived through some of the truly great cultural periods of the 20th century. About three years ago, I’d read her autobiography, Twiggy In Black and White, and seen the Cilla Black drama on TV. I said, “I wonder if there might be a drama in your life too.” She said, “It’s a Cinderella story, isn’t it?” And I said, “Not really, Twig. Your two sisters adored you, you went straight to the ball and have stayed there ever since!”
