Interview with Elf Lyons

Comedy Blogedy: How long have you been gigging in stand-up?

Elf Lyons: My first gig was on October 16th at the Kings Head in Crouch End. It was 2008 and I was 17 years old. Since then I’ve been gigging on and off, balancing between my studies and various deadlines.

Comedy Blogedy: How would you describe your comedy?

Elf Lyons: Ramshackle is probably the best word, alongside enthusiastic. I’m very energetic on stage and my routines and stories dodge and dive between each other in a very improvised and scatty order.

Comedy Blogedy: Which comedians influence your comedy?

Elf Lyons: SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM! I was brought up on French & Saunders, Victoria Wood and the Carry On films when I was little. I would probably say that team of people were massive role models and influences to me when it came to my comedy writing and my stage persona.

Comedy Blogedy: Did you always want to go into comedy?

Elf Lyons: I’m not sure. I used to tell people I wanted to be a stand-up when I was little because it always received such a bizzarre and diverse range of reactions from everyone I told it to and I enjoyed their reactions when I said I wanted to be a comedian. I think because it got such an interesting reaction from everyone that the mystery drew me towards actually taking on the career.

Comedy Blogedy: How do you go about writing your material?

Elf Lyons: For me to actually sit down and write stuff it normally takes about 3 bottles of Rioja and Eminem’s LOSE YOURSELF on repeat. However, I’m lucky that pretty much ALL of my material is from my own experiences and for that reason I can get away with just remembering the event and then casually talking about it to an audience, rather than having to heavily script and time everything I say, imagining up scenarios and characters to talk about.

Comedy Blogedy: Do you gig as a stand-up full time or is it more of a part-time hobby? If so, do you find that your main job influences your material?

Elf Lyons: At the moment I’m in my final year at Bristol University, so my main priority is graduating with a good degree in July and trying to achieve as many things as possible in the run up to then. I balance my stand-up commitments with my degree pretty well I think. I run my own student comedy night in Bristol called THE SECRET COMEDIANS which has had an amazing run and an incredible line up of performers. Once I graduate I hope to move The Secret Comedians to a London base and continue gigging full time up there.

Comedy Blogedy: What do you find the most enjoyable and frustrating parts of the amateur comedy circuit?

Elf Lyons: Most Enjoyable: The most enjoyable part of the circuit is how you never know how any gig is going to turn out – it is a complete whirlwind of the wild and the weird. Also, having a friendly post-gig drink with the other acts at the end of the night is pretty brilliant. I do love the stand-up community. Frustrating Part: Rape jokes.

Comedy Blogedy:What’s your favourite type of audience to perform to?

Elf Lyons: O.A.Ps.

Comedy Blogedy:Have you been heckled a lot since you’ve started gigging? Do you enjoy being heckled? What’s the best heckle you’ve had?

Elf Lyons: I haven’t actually! I’m a bit disappointed! I will assume it’s because I’m a 6ft Irish woman and most people are wise enough to know not to take me on.

Comedy Blogedy: What advice would you give to new acts thinking about starting out in comedy?

Elf Lyons: Give it a go. Don’t worry. Take risks. Keep to your time limit.