Elf Lyons’ Leicester Square Questionnaire

Where do you go for your pre/post Leicester Square Theatre gig food?
I usually go to Bar Italia for a pre-show coffee and then usually return much later, sit in the back and eat some Tiramisu to calm down.

What’s one word to describe the state of the UK?
Discombobulated. However, regardless of what you think of what is going on in the UK, I still think humans are beautiful.

Who’s the best upcoming performer in the country that we haven’t heard of?
There are so many cult performers that I’ve come across through teaching either clown workshops or mentoring. Loads of exciting clowns and alternative artists coming from L’Ecole Gaulier too so I would keep an eye on them. I think Joshua Bethania is one of the kindest and most lovely people I’ve ever met in comedy. Arhuhan Apyxah is an climate activist who also uses bouffon superbly and Shabs Razvand has a brilliant character called Mrs Applebee whom I love.

Who would you describe as your arch-nemesis?
Anyone who is inept at replying to emails.

When was the time you bombed the most onstage?
Surbiton. Honestly, I hate Surbiton.

What’s been your strangest fan encounter?
To be honest, all my fans are probably considered ‘strange’ by some standards, and that is honestly why I love them. Two fans turned up dressed as the twins from The Shining for Raven and if anything I would actively encourage Stephen King fancy dress at all my shows.

How do you like to relax after a gig?
I really like listening to white noise and cuddling guinea pigs. Or, if I don’t have access to guinea pigs, I really like walking all the way home through London with an audio book. It can sometimes take hours (I live in Zone 4), but it helps me settle in to how beautiful London is.

What’s the one thing you want the audience to take away from your show?
A cathartic clown exorcism of joy and horror.

Would you rather have fingers as long as your legs or legs as long as your fingers?
I think fingers are as long as my legs because technically that would then make me some sort of insect/millipede and I could do some really awesome mime acts on stage. Also I could probably get places faster.

Who would win in a fight: Badger or Baboon?
I need to understand the details of why this fight is happening. Is this a verbal fight or a physical one? Or an intellectual one?

What’s the oddest thing you’ve overheard in London?
Someone saying that ‘animals were shit’.

“Praise her genius – and go” ★★★★★ The Telegraph
“Fierce and funny fright-night” ★★★★ – The Guardian

Elf Lyons: Raven plays at Leicester Square Theatre on 16 June.