Award-winning comedian and Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated Elf Lyons is taking her hit show Horses on tour this summer, following a triumphant run at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Horses will be coming to The Old Market, Hove, on Thursday, May 29.
This unique, hour-long show promises to be unlike anything you’ve seen before: a comedy performance entirely by Treacle, a horse. A celebration of play, imagination, and the art of pretending, Horses invites you to relive the uninhibited joy of childhood. It’s a performance directed by Elf Lyons, with creative contributions from renowned comedian Trygve Wakenshaw and the legendary Dylan Moran.
With the profound quote by Pablo Neruda, “A child who does not play is not a child, but the man who does not play has lost forever the child who lived in him,” at its heart, Horses is a tribute to the childlike spirit within us all. Expect a delightful blend of mime, stand-up, clowning, and shadow puppetry—all performed by Treacle, the horse. In a truly playful homage to artistic greats, the production draws inspiration from Francis of Assisi’s interpretation of animal communication, Bob Fosse’s choreography, and even Hitchcock’s dramaturgy.
Lyons, who is known for her innovative and boundary-pushing work, is no stranger to the spotlight. She has gained a loyal following for her distinctive style, which spans everything from re-enactments of classical ballets to immersive horror shows and musicals exploring economics. Over the years, her performances have included lectures on Surrealism at the Barbican and performances at venues like the Adelaide Fringe Festival, where she won Pick of the Fringe in 2018.
Her accolades speak for themselves: since 2017, Elf has received multiple nominations, including for the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show, the Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality, and Fringe World Perth’s Best Comedy Show. Her 2020 show Unlikely Darlings, co-created with Helen Duff, earned a spot in The Telegraph’s ’50 Best Cultural Moments of the Year’. More recently, Elf was named one of The Telegraph’s Top 50 Funniest Comedians of the 21st Century in 2023.
Elf’s extensive TV and radio credits include appearances on Comedians Giving Lectures (Dave), Comedians Against Living Miserably (Dave), The A to Z of Horror Movies (Sky Original), and Evil Genius (BBC Sounds). She’s also featured in a series of her own work, including the BBC Three short Top Ten Things I Have Bought While Drunk. Elf is also a familiar face on ITV2’s The Stand Up Sketch Show, as well as BBC and Times Radio shows. She is a three-time cover star for The Sunday Times Culture.
Beyond her performance career, Elf is a respected writer whose articles have appeared in The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Refinery29, and more. She’s even graced the cover of The Observer Magazine for her piece “In Praise of Polyamory”.
With Horses, Elf Lyons continues her mission to push the boundaries of comedy, performance, and creativity. Don’t miss your chance to see the hilarious and heartwarming spectacle that’s redefining what a comedy show can be!
Address: The Old Market, 11A Upper Market St, Hove BN3 1AS
Website: https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/elf-lyons-horses
