Matthew Highton is a British comedian [1] and film-maker from Saddleworth known for his surreal storytelling. [2]
Performing since 2009, Highton has worked as both a solo act and as part of the alternative comedy collective Weirdos. He has taken several shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, débuting in 2010. [3] In 2014, Highton was also part of the cast for Knightmare Live, [4] a stage version of the popular 90s children show Knightmare.
As part of Weirdos, Highton co-wrote and directed their 2013's alternative Christmas Panto, The Colonel [5] alongside Weirdos founder Adam Larter and directed 2014's A Christmas Tail. [6] He also played Rufio in their 2012 stage re-production of Steven Spielberg's Hook . In 2012, Highton and Larter also put on Bowie Fest [7] a spoof version of the V&A's 'Bowie Is' exhibit. [8] In 2017, he played a hybrid of Donald Trump and Phil Collins, [9] in Tony Law and Friends in the Battle for Icetopia. A collaboration between Weirdos and Tony Law unwisely set on the Alexandra Palace Ice Rink. [10] The show went on to receive the 2018 Chortle Award for Event of the Year. [11]
Highton is a filmmaker, creating the online sketch show The Thinking Shower which he stars in alongside, amongst others, Fosters Comedy Award winner John Kearns. In 2014, he made his first short film Santageddon [12] which starred several other UK comedians including Kearns, Nick Helm, Gemma Whelan and Pat Cahill. He has a plethora of shorts and sketches to his name, working closely with many of the UKs best comedians. Many of these include collaborations with fellow Weirdo Joz Norris, [13] whom he also has a Resonance FM radio show with, called Radio K.A.O.S [14] named after the Roger Waters album.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, Highton put his filmmaking and editing skills to use creating a string of viral videos. Most notably his stock footage recreations, where he recreates classic TV intros such as Pokémon [15] and the Simpsons [16] using nothing but stock footage.