Frou Frou August 2016 Fotocad Photography 1
Fotocad Photography

About

Elliot Mason

I’m a lifelong fan/maker of music/comedy

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Let's Talk About Me
Elliot Mason and Justin Mason dressed as Pinnocchio and Geppetto

with Justin Mason (right)

The 1970s

I grew up on the Isle of Wight and was forced at gunpoint to enter Shanklin carnival every year with my brother

Hobbies: Drawing hundreds of unconvincing peas on a sheet of paper

HEARING: The Muppets, The Wombles, The Beatles, Out Of The Blue by ELO, Songs In The Key Of Life by Stevie Wonder, Jesus Christ Superstar, Gilbert O Sullivan

WATCHING: Tizwas, The Muppet Show, The Kenny Everett Video Show, Top Of The Pops

Elliot Mason in the 80s

Pretending to play the piano, Shanklin

The 1980s

I started having piano lessons with Mrs Mepham when I was 8 years old and I never once practiced, preferring to noodle about aimlessly. I didn’t particularly enjoy school and never got round to finishing any homework. We moved to Ryde at some point and I bought an electric guitar from Strings music shop when I was 14. It cost £15 and the sticker on it said “Dog of the week”. It was terrible. I loved it. 

Hobbies: Riding my bike to the county ground and back. Hole punching large sheets of paper until there was nothing left. Collecting Garbage Pail Kids stickers and throwing the chewing gum away.

HEARING: Huey Lewis & The News, Bronski Beat, The Human League, Nik Kershaw, Madness, Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Howard Jones, Prince & The Revolution, Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, The Smiths, Aerosmith, John Lennon, The Police, The Pogues, Level 42

WATCHING: The Young Ones, The Comic Strip, Saturday Live, Spitting Image, The Equaliser, Fraggle Rock, The A Team, Terrorhawks, Superman 2 & 3, Return Of The Jedi, Back To The Future, Max Headroom, The Storyteller, Rockschool, Time Bandits, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, The Police Academy (1, 2, & 3), Bullseye, The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, Airplane, Brewsters Millions, Planes Trains & Automobiles, The Three Amigos, Yellow Submarine, Laurel & Hardy, Looney Tunes, Ghostbusters, Buygones, Sir Norbert Smith – A life

Elliot Mason in 1995

Pretending to play the keyboard, Newcastle

The 1990s

Playing guitar all the time now. I formed a band at school with David White and Alex Wells called ElAlDave. It was terrible but I’ve never laughed so much in my life. Our greatest achievement was our reworking of the Coco Pops advert song which was basically us laughing for 3 minutes while a single-finger chord pattern playing on the keyboard. 

I got heavily into home recording, using two tape recorders to bounce back and forth adding tracks and tape hiss as I went. Then later moving on to Cubase (music production software), which I still use today. 

I left school without finishing a single piece of homework.

I started playing guitar in function bands at 16.

Went to college to do a music technology course, I hated it and left halfway through after not finishing a single piece of homework. 

I became a full time musician at 18, first working at Thorness Bay holiday camp for two years, then on to Shanklin and Sandown Theatres as a sort of resident musician for 10 years. 

I went to Newcastle Music College in 1995, hated the course, didn’t finish a single piece of homework, but bought loads of cds and listened to a ridiculous amount of music.

In 1998 me and my brother wrote and made a mockumentary about the history of pencils. It took a year to make. We sent it to loads of productions companies and heard nothing back, then we sent it straight to Channel 4 and got a phone call the next day asking if we’d like to come up to London for a meeting. We said, “Oh go on then”. 

HEARING: Django Reinhardt, David Byrne, The Victor Lewis-Smith Radio Show, They Might Be Giants, Squeeze, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Steely Dan, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Blur, Billy Joel, Bad News, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Yes, Jethro Tull, Genesis, Gentle Giant, Morrissey, Matt Monro, 10cc, Glen Gampbell, XTC, Lewis Taylor, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Bjork, Divine Comedy, Rufus Wainwright, Supergrass, Jellyfish, Jason Falkner, The Beatles Anthology, Motown, Stax, Atlantic, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Neil Young, Caetano Veloso, Aimee Mann, Georgie Fame, Andrew Gold, Richard Thompson, The Beach Boys, Joe Jackson, Harry Connick Jr., Kirsty MacColl, Gloria Estefan, Crowded House, REM, Nirvana, The La’s, Julian Cope, everything else

WATCHING: Vic Reeve’s Big Night Out, The Jack Dee Show, Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show, The Simpsons, The Blues Brothers, Bottom, This Is Spinal Tap, Red Dwarf, Blackadder, Jeeves & Wooster, Alexei Sayle’s Stuff, A Bit Of Fry & Laurie, Monty Python & The Holy Grail/Life Of Brian, Brazil, Nuts In May, Abigail’s Party, The Rutles, The Jerk, Father Ted, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Absolutely, The Royle Family, Spaced, Early Doors, Black Books, Flight Of The Conchords, Saxondale, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Inside Victor Lewis-Smith, The Weekenders, The Prisoner, Leningrad Cowboys Go America, The Beatles Anthology, The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen, Barry Lyndon, Jean De Florette, Manon De Source, Happy Gilmore

Elliot Mason outside the New End Theatre, Hampstead

Loitering outside the New End Theatre, Hampstead

The 2000s

Between 2000 and 2002 me and my brother made some things for Channel 4, including two sketch show pilots, 10 episodes of The 11 O’Clock Show’s final series, and a sketch for the Channel 4 Political Awards. 

In 2006 I left Shanklin Theatre and moved into an out-of-season holiday cottage on the other side of the island to contemplate my future, and started writing what would become my live cabaret act and first album, The Day They Turned Jif To Cif

In 2007 I left the Isle of Wight and played bass at a million functions and in some touring musicals.

In 2008 I performed my stupid comedy songs for the first time at David Goo’s open mic night at the Cross Kings pub in Kings Cross. It was absolutely terrifying. 

For the next two years I continued to perform my stupid comedy songs at music nights around London. It didn’t occur to me to perform at comedy nights. In hindsight I think that turned out to be a good thing as it meant I wasn’t in direct competition with the other performers, so everyone was very nice and supportive of each other. Also, the beauty of playing comedy songs at normal music nights is that the audience aren’t expecting you to be funny. Which was lucky for me and them. 

HEARING: Maurice Ravel, Frank Zappa, Nick Lowe, Ron Sexsmith, Field Music, It Bites, MGMT, Daft Punk, Clearlake

WATCHING: 15 Storeys High, Woody Allen films, Peep Show, The Office, The Peter Serafinowicz Show, A Mighty Wind

Elliot Mason meeting Daryl Hall

Meeting Daryl Hall outside Daryl’s Place, NY 

The 2010s

In 2010 I performed at the Edinburgh Festival and met a load of lovely people from the UK Cabaret and Burlesque scene and I somehow managed to wangle my way onto that for the next 10 years. It was terrific. 

In 2013 I joined Colin Blunstone’s Solo Band and toured the UK, Europe and USA for 8 years. It was terrific. 

In 2015 I released my second album of comedy songs, Life Is Like A Movie. It’s terrific.

In 2016 I wrote and directed ‘The Elliot Mason Show Episode 6: How To Get More Views On Youtube’ – A short film that took 8 months to make. It’s terrific. 

Also in 2016 me and my brother started doing animations for one of our absolute comedy heroes Victor Lewis-Smith, and continued to do so for the next 7 years. It was terrific. 

HEARING: David Crosby, Lewis Cole, Thundercat, R. Stevie Moore, Robert Glasper, Everything Everything, The Magnetic Fields, Adam Green

WATCHING: Comedy Bang! Bang!, Rick & Morty, Mary & Max

Elliot Mason with a large glowing eyeball

This happened just after turning 50

The 2020s

In 2022 I formed a music production company with David Goo called Mason Giles and we did music for adverts and things for a bit.

And at the age of 50 I realised I preferred Tesco’s generic ‘Bacon Rashers’ to actual ‘Frazzles’. 

HEARING: Francis Poulenc, Caribou, Camille Saint-Saens, Gilbert & Sullivan, Squarepusher, Burt Bacharach, Aphex Twin, Bibio, Thomas Dolby, Gino Vannelli, Gabriel Faure, Cardiacs

WATCHING: Limmy, I Think You Should Leave, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

And that’s every single thing that’s ever happened to me from birth to right this second. 

But what, oh what, will the future hold? Only time……………. will tell……………..

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Only Time Will Tell

Career

Music

 
1995 – 2005: Shanklin Theatre – Resident Musician/Assistant MD – Keys, Guitar, Bass, Double Bass, Banjo, Balalaika
2007: From The Hart (Musical), New End Theatre, Hampstead – Double Bass
2008: Shout! (Musical) With Su Pollard – Guitar/Bass
2009 – 2010: Never Forget (Musical) – UK Tour – Bass
2009 – 2015: Qdos Pantomimes. Beck Theatre, Hayes – Bass/Guitar
2011: Footloose (Musical) UK tour – Bass
2013 – 2020: Colin Blunstone Solo Band. UK/Europe/USA tours – Bass
2016 – 2022: Qdos Pantomimes. Wycombe Swan Theatre, High Wycombe. – Bass
2018 – 2023: Rock Of Ages (Musical) UK Tour – Bass
2021: Ebay Advert ‘Buy a Thing, Sell A Thing’ – Music Production
2022 – 2023: ‘Mason Giles’ – Bespoke commercial music production. Co-Writer/Co-Producer
2022: Cazoo Advert Jingle. National UK Commercial Radio. Writer/Producer
2023 – PRESENT: Imagine Pantomimes. Wycombe Swan Theatre, High Wycombe – Bass
2024: Passing Strange (Musical), Young Vic, London – Guitar/Kbd
2024: Life Is Strange: Double Exposure – 4 songs – Writer/Producer

Music

 
1995 – 2005: Shanklin Theatre – Resident Musician/Assistant MD – Keys, Guitar, Bass, Double Bass, Banjo, Balalaika

 

2007: From The Hart (Musical), New End Theatre, Hampstead – Double Bass

 

2008: Shout! (Musical) With Su Pollard – Guitar/Bass

 

2009 – 2010: Never Forget (Musical) – UK Tour – Bass

 

2009 – 2015: Qdos Pantomimes. Beck Theatre, Hayes – Bass/Guitar

 

2011: Footloose (Musical) UK tour – Bass

 

2013 – 2020: Colin Blunstone Solo Band. UK/Europe/USA tours – Bass

 

2016 – 2022: Qdos Pantomimes. Wycombe Swan Theatre, High Wycombe. – Bass

 

2018 – 2023: Rock Of Ages (Musical) UK Tour – Bass

 

2021: Ebay Advert ‘Buy a Thing, Sell A Thing’ – Music Production

 

2022 – 2023: ‘Mason Giles’ – Bespoke commercial music production. Co-Writer/Co-Producer

 

2022: Cazoo Advert Jingle. National UK Commercial Radio. Writer/Producer

 

2023 – PRESENT: Imagine Pantomimes. Wycombe Swan Theatre, High Wycombe – Bass

 

2024: Passing Strange (Musical), Young Vic, London – Guitar/Kbd

 

2024: Life Is Strange: Double Exposure – 4 songs – Writer/Producer
Colin Blunstone Solo Band 2017
Colin Blunstone Solo Band 2017

with Colin Blunstone

Rock of Ages
Rock Of Ages Tour Band 2019

with Vito Guerrieri, Marc Le Guerrannic, Drew Lowe

Elliot Mason playing guitar in Passing Strange
Passing Strange, Young Vic 2024

with Giles Terera

Animation 

 
2000: The 11 O’Clock Show – Series 5 Animations – 10 episodes, Channel 4. Co-Writer/Co-Animator/Voice
2001: Shut Up & Dance – Pilot, Channel 4. Co-Writer/Co-Animator/Co-Producer/Voice
2002: Isle Of Wight – Unbroadcast Pilot, Channel 4. Co-Writer/Co-Animator/Co-Producer/Voice
2002: Channel 4 Political Awards, Channel 4. Co-Writer/Co-Animator/Voice
2016: ‘The Undiscovered Peter Cook’ animations for Victor Lewis-Smith. BBC4. Co-Animator
2017: ‘The Undiscovered Peter Sellers’ animations for Victor Lewis-Smith. Sky Arts. Co-Animator
2018: ‘Fix Or Fail’ animations – 5 Episodes for Victor Lewis-Smith. Channel 5. Animator
2018: ‘The Undiscovered Kenneth Williams’ animations for Victor Lewis-Smith. Sky Arts. Co-Animator
2018: ‘The Undiscovered Tony Hancock’ animations for Victor Lewis-Smith. Sky Arts. Co-Animator
2018: ‘Stanley Baxter Comedy Hero’ animations for Victor Lewis-Smith. Channel 5. Co-Animator
2020 – 2021: Bruce Sudano Music Videos. Animator
2021: ‘Professor Groblix’ Victor Lewis-Smith comedy pilot. Animator
2022: ‘Hitler’s Jazz Band’ animations for Victor Lewis-Smith. Sky Arts. Animator
 

Comedy

 
2010 – 2020: Elliot Mason (Musical Comedian). Cabaret & Burlesque Shows. London & UK. Writer/Performer
2010: ‘The Day They Turned Jif To Cif’ – Comedy Album. Writer/Performer/Producer
2015: ‘Life Is Like A Movie’ – Comedy Album. Writer/Performer/Producer
2016: ‘The Elliot Mason Show Episode 6’ – Short Film. Writer/Performer/Director

Animation 

 
2000: The 11 O’Clock Show – Series 5 Animations – 10 episodes, Channel 4. Co-Writer/Co-Animator/Voice

 

2001: Shut Up & Dance – Pilot, Channel 4. Co-Writer/Co-Animator/Co-Producer/Voice

 

2002: Isle Of Wight – Unbroadcast Pilot, Channel 4. Co-Writer/Co-Animator/Co-Producer/Voice

 

2002: Channel 4 Political Awards, Channel 4. Co-Writer/Co-Animator/Voice

 

2016: ‘The Undiscovered Peter Cook’ animations for Victor Lewis-Smith. BBC4. Co-Animator

 

2017: ‘The Undiscovered Peter Sellers’ animations for Victor Lewis-Smith. Sky Arts. Co-Animator

 

2018: ‘Fix Or Fail’ animations – 5 Episodes for Victor Lewis-Smith. Channel 5. Animator

 

2018: ‘The Undiscovered Kenneth Williams’ animations for Victor Lewis-Smith. Sky Arts. Co-Animator

 

2018: ‘The Undiscovered Tony Hancock’ animations for Victor Lewis-Smith. Sky Arts. Co-Animator

 

2018: ‘Stanley Baxter Comedy Hero’ animations for Victor Lewis-Smith. Channel 5. Co-Animator

 

2020 – 2021: Bruce Sudano Music Videos. Animator

 

2021: ‘Professor Groblix’ Victor Lewis-Smith comedy pilot. Animator

 

2022: ‘Hitler’s Jazz Band’ animations for Victor Lewis-Smith. Sky Arts. Animator

 

 

Comedy

 
2010 – 2020: Elliot Mason (Musical Comedian). Cabaret & Burlesque Shows. London & UK. Writer/Performer

 

2010: ‘The Day They Turned Jif To Cif’ – Comedy Album. Writer/Performer/Producer

 

2015: ‘Life Is Like A Movie’ – Comedy Album. Writer/Performer/Producer

 

2016: ‘The Elliot Mason Show Episode 6’ – Short Film. Writer/Performer/Director
Elliot Mason and Harry Hill
Supporting Harry Hill, Monkey Business, Chalk Farm. 2012
Liverpool 2013
Liverpool. 2013
Elliot Mason at Hundren Watt Club, West End Centre, Aldershot. Photograph by Jennifer Marsden​
Hundred Watt Club. Aldershot. 2015

Photograph by Jennifer Marsden

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