EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Elf Lyons

Tell us a bit about Swan.

I am attempting to do a full production of Swan Lake in an hour, in Franglish. It's ridiculously silly. It's a clown, stand-up, dance mashup. And I have never had so much fun with an audience. It's the show I've always wanted to do, so as a 26 year old woman, I am finally doing it. Dressed as a parrot.

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

Because Edinburgh is the perfect place to perform it, to the most weird, culturally diverse group of comedy lovers you could find anywhere in the world. Edinburgh is the best place to experiment and take risks.

What sets it apart from other shows at the Fringe?

This is the only show where you will see Peggy Lee's Fever sung in french, by a parrot, as said Parrot removes 45 of their mother's bras using magic - doing so to symbolise the entrance of the BLACK SWAN in Swan Lake.

Who would you recommend comes to see you?

Anyone who wants to let themsleves go, who needs a break from thinking and just wants to laugh and be silly.

Are there any other shows you're hoping to catch at the festival?

Directly before Swan I'll be performing my drag-sketch show 'Hilda & The Spectrum'with my comedy partner Ryan Lane at the Voodoo Rooms, so that and Swan will dominate most of my time...

But, once the first week has calmed I'll be seeing as many clown and gaulier shows as I can. Shows I can't wait for are John-Luke Roberts at Heroes @ Monkey Barrell, Ross Spaine at the Voodoo Rooms, Chapshtick by Luke Nowell and Simon Brown at New Town Theatre, Helen Duff at the Assembly, The Establishment at Assembly and finally Murder She Didn't Write at the Pleasance.

Timings and ticket information for Elf Lyons: Swan are available on the edfringe website.

Photo credit: Andy Hollingsworth