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 Nick Helm, John Kearns, 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.