Interview: Elf Lyons is The Woman on the Edge
Elf Lyons is bringing her show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year. Elf is an award-winning performer working in the realms of comedy, clowning, bouffon, stand-up, verbatim theatre, and live art.
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/elf-lyons-is-the-woman-on-the-edge
Venue: Beyond at Pleasance Courtyard
When: 5 - 31 August (not performing on 17th August)
Could you tell us a bit more about who you are and what The Woman on the Edge is all about?
It’s about Apollo 13, heart break, moon landings, mannequins, snails, heart break and dissociation. It’s a combination of physical comedy, clowning, lipsync, verbatim theatre, dance, mime, opera and storytelling – with jokes throughout. You will laugh, cry and laugh again.
The show description says it is a "completely normal" stand-up show about love, but it also mentions Apollo 13, Vertigo, and opera. What can audiences actually expect when they walk into the room?
The unexpected. Potentially a bouncy castle. It is the most complex show I’ve made – in terms of show structure, genre, jokes, and storytelling alongside tech. Most peope who have seen it have come back to see it again, which I take as a great compliment and a sign I’ve made something to be proud of.
You are known for doing incredible physical comedy and clowning. What inspired you to take on traditional "observational stand-up" for this show?
To clarify, similar to how Horses was described as ‘the first ever comedy show performed by a Horse’, the description that this is an ‘observational stand-up show’ should be taken with tongue firmly in cheek. With every show I do, I aim to push the boundaries of what I have done before and what I think I am capable of, and what my audiences have seen before. You’re always trying to beat your own personal best. If you don’t take risks and play with failure, you’re not going to make your best work. Especially as a comedian.
You’re returning to the Edinburgh Fringe! What are you most excited about, and why do you think the Fringe is such a magical place?
I love being able to see artists I have never seen before, be inspired, make new friends, reunite with old ones from all over the world – see brilliant work, new work and terrible work and enjoy all the diverse theatre styles in one place. It should be protected at all costs.
What do you hope audiences will take away, feel, or think about after they leave your show?
Catharsis, joy and love
If you had to describe The Woman on the Edge in only three words to make people eager to come and see it, what would they be?
Just find out.
