Comedy / Elf Lyons
Interview: Elf Lyons
Next Monday (May 28) at the Wardrobe Theatre, “giraffe-limbed clown and raconteur” Elf Lyons presents “a one-woman production of Swan Lake. In an hour. In French. Sort of.
“Think big. Think weird. Matthew Bourne would be proud. It’s going to be fun. And sexy. Yeah, let’s throw that word in there too.”
“A fast-talking, smart-thinking stand-up for whom the adjective ‘kooky’ could have been invented” –The Guardian
is needed now More than ever
Here’s Elf.
What led you to become a comedian and clown?
I was desperate to find a way of communicating all my thoughts, feelings and observations about the world, with people, without the fear that they would have me committed. Performing them on stage seems to have solved this conundrum.
A ‘daffy take on Swan Lake in Franglais’ – is that a fair description of Swan?
For me, not really. Yes, it is in Franglais. But ‘daffy’ undermines the whole affair and suggests it’s just one-dimensional. It’s a mixture of clown, stand up, sexy magic and taking-down of elitism. I am so proud of this show, because there is something for everyone. And it is a show for people to embrace their silliness.
And what led you to come up with this show in particular… a love of Swan Lake? A desire to poke fun at the conventions of ballet?
I just wanted to do a one-woman production of Swan Lake. In an hour. With objects I found on the day.
You studied Drama at Bristol. Reminisce on that time for us.
I spent a lot of hours in dark theatres, up ladders, hanging lights while dressed in ridiculous outfits. The maximum time I spent in the T2 Theatre in the Drama Department was 32 hours non-stop – over the weekend, teching for a production of Closer. It was madness. I loved being part of Spotlights and getting involved in theatre events at Goldney in particular too.
You also studied at the Philippe Gaulier clown school. Was that as fascinating and unique a place to study as it sounds?
So much so. I wrote about it extensively on my website, as it was hard to summarise everything that was happening and going on in a few casual emails to friends and family. It was a whirlwind of the insane. And I adored it.
Could someone who neither knows Swan Lake, nor thinks they’re a fan of clowning, enjoy the show…?Absolutement!
Elf Lyons: Swan Monday, May 28, Wardrobe Theatre. For more info and to book tickets, visit thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/elf-lyons
Read more: Interview: Stuart Goldsmith
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