Dale Elliott Jr

It was the first of times, it was the worst of times.

This time it's a transatlantic jaunt for the Jamaica-born, now LA-based Dale Elliott Jr, who's just begun a UK tour. And it looks set to be a triumphant trip for the popular comic, as he's playing some mighty venues along the way. So what else is on the schedule, this time around?

"A triumphant return indeed," says Elliott Jr. "This year, coming back to the UK, I'm hoping to see the sun. It will be my first summer in the UK and I know that will be amazing."

It has been a scorcher, by our standards. Meanwhile things are hotting up across the globe, literally and metaphorically, including back home in the States. Will Dale dangle a toe in those waters?

"A lot of things going on in the world right now, from immigration to, you know, what's going on in the Middle [East]," the comic concurs, "things are just crazy. So will I talk about some of the things on stage? More than likely, but me gonna make sure we keep it fun, concise, relatable, and friendly and neutral."

Which is not easy. Back to happier times, then - incidentally, this is our first ever First Gig Worst Gig done via voice notes. Hit that little mic icon now, Dale...

First gig?

I remember my first gig being a random night in Toronto, in front of 250 people. December 29th, 2023 - yes, that was like, my first gig, and I performed for about 25 minutes.

Favourite show, ever?

I would say, Brooklyn, yes, Brooklyn had a different kind of vibe. Brooklyn was nice. I don't know if it's because, a lot of the people in the place, I know them personally. Yeah, Brooklyn is definitely a very, very good show.

Worst gig?

My most horrendous gig is ironically where I live, in Los Angeles. At the Regent Theatre on December 15th 2024. It wasn't a bad show in terms of the support, or the people, or even the material, but I've never been in a situation where I had a lot to think about; I had to think about the planning and who was coming and there was so much happening for that specific show. And then there's a specific stigma to LA and Hollywood and Hollywood people. I never liked that show.

Which one person influenced your comedy life most significantly?

For me, definitely Kevin Hart, because him tell relatable stories, him talk 'bout him family, him friends, stuff that he experienced. So yeah, Kevin Hart and Oliver Samuels.

And who's the most disagreeable person you've come across in the business?

I remember, just, that's a lot of people, that is a lot of people. I come across a lot of people that I disagree with in business, just... yeah, I'm just going to say a lot of people. People do things different from how I would do it so I cannot single out one specific person because it happens so often.

Is there one routine/gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?

I wouldn't say they didn't love, but I thought they woulda liked it more in my mind. The stop lights in the UK, they're so short, I just remember making a joke about how short the stop lights are and they were like 'ah.' But then I'm thinking about it, if you live in the UK you are used to seeing short stop lights, you're not seeing any tall stop lights like in America.

Any reviews, heckles or post-gig reactions stick in the mind?

In Jamaican shows there will always be hecklers. I just remember a heckler asking me like 'yo, where's your granny at? We come to see your granny!' So you know, there's always something.

How do you feel about where your career is at, right now?

I feel as if I have just scratched the surface and I just need to keep on pushing because I am not where I want to be. But I am thankful for where I am.

Dale Elliott Jr: Son of an Immigrant tours the UK until mid July. Tickets