Last Things First: Elf Lyons

Elf Lyons is a British comedian and writer who performs in both the worlds of stand-up and clown, having studied in France with the late Phillippe Goulier. Her 2017 show, Swan, received a nomination for Best Show at the Edinburgh Fringe, while her 2024 show, Horses, earned Best Show from both The (ISH) Edinburgh Comedy Awards and The Comedians’ Choice Awards. Her newest show, The Woman on The Edge, was the best-reviewed show of the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe, and earned her “Spirit of the Fringe” honors from The List, Scotland’s biggest arts and entertainment guide. Lyons is making her American debut with an off-Broadway run at New York City’s SoHo Playhouse, starting Sept. 24, 2026. She’s also teaching intensive workshops on clowning and bouffon techniques this fall at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Before all of that, though, Lyons sat down with me over Zoom to discuss why she compares herself to an A24 film, her shows to concept albums, the importance of a strong work ethic, and how the Fringe has changed since the pandemic. There’s a lot to get to, so let’s get to it!

Buy tickets to Elf Lyons: The Woman On The Edge at SoHo Playhouse in NYC, Sept. 24 to Oct. 18, 2026.

Get on the waiting list for Elf to teach you in an intensive clowning workshop at the UCB Theatre in NYC this fall.

From her 2024 essay in The Scotsman on the importance of play:

“Get silly and play more. We don’t do it enough and the world would be better if we did. When directing other artists, I remind them to never underestimate the power of silliness. Being playful and silly with an audience is still a surprisingly political statement. It can be subversive and both unite and agitate audiences dependent on who is being silly.”

On Instagram, she offered advice at the start of August for any nervous newcomers putting on shows at the Edinburgh Fringe.

And from her NextUp recording of Swan, which we speak about in our podcast chat:

@elflyons
My interpretation of the classical ballet #SwanLake by #Tchaikovsky and the character #PrinceSiegfried Watch the whole directors cut on @nextupcomedy #clown #mime #mentalhealthawareness #ballet #contemporarydance #contemporaryart #theatre #nationalballet #comedy #slapstick #improv #parrot #propcomedy #britishhumour #britishcomedy #silly #twowolves #artist #liveart #omnibustheatre #london BEHIND THE CURTAIN INFO… This was filmed just when COVID measures were introduced so I filmed the special to a glorious audience of 12 socially distanced individuals including my lovely ex boyfriend on the front row. Had to re-edit huge sections of the show because I couldn’t get too close to the audience / bring the audience on stage. This section with the glorious music of #PeteandBaz was devised specially for COVID show.
♬ original sound – ELF LYONS