Interview: Rarely Asked Questions – Elf Lyons: Page 2 of 2

6. What do your parents/children (delete as applicable) think of your job?

My parents are proud of me and want me to be healthy and happy. They are more worried about me injuring myself to be honest.  I have no idea what my siblings think, but if I can make them laugh, then I am thrilled. 

7. What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?

Being on your own most of the time and spending most nights not in your own bed.

8. I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?

You can definitely experiment with colours more and I think you should get a fedora. I don't know what your opinions are on Harry Potter though so I cannot honestly make a full assessment without that key information. (editor's note, I think she may have misunderstood the question here).

9. How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?

My dream is to one day earn enough to be able to live in a house with a garden with a vegetable patch and have two children and a dog - with a bedroom with rose wallpaper and a really really big bookshelf.

At the moment I share a 3 person flat with 4 people in Brixton alongside a huge array of rodents and black mould, My books have become tables for other books.

But I am only 27. I will get there.

10. How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?

In some ways my lucky break was being crowdfunded to go to Adelaide when I was 23 to perform Being Barbarella. I was able to be totally independent. I knew no one and got to meet lots of clowns and discover about Gaulier through Dr Brown. That experience opened up so many doors for me in terms of what there was to discover regarding performing. I don't think I would be the performer I am now had it not been for that experience. It led me to studying at Gaulier and it led me to knowing some of the most amazing and important people in my life right now.

I take pride in saying I have always worked hard, gigged as often I can and taken as many risks as I could. I've done lots of things and experimented with my style to work out what makes me happy - and had many many failures - which is fab. Having time to fail is crucially important.  I feel very proud of what I have managed to achieve so far and what I have had the opportunities to learn. 

11. Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into a third category?

TBH I probably define myself as a VERY SENSIBLE BASE JUMPER. On stage and during my job, I am very stupid, but off stage, I read, spend time with my family and friends. I love going to the cinema on my own.

Up until 26 I was probably a self-harmer. Having witnessed the affects that alcohol and drugs have on performers, the wisest decision I made last year was to quit drinking. Since then, life is calmer and more boring. And I am so thankful for it. 

12. Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedian.

Stephen King and Angela Carter. Because they are both there for me when I need to escape. 

13. Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).

Each individual drawer is probably best described as a labryinth of adventures. You can find books, socks, Ferrero Rocher, prop guns, silk underwear or bluetooth speakers in my drawers amongst other things. However, The drawers do EACH close - which I would argue means they are therefore tidy.

 

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