As the audience files into The Old Market in Hove, Elf Lyons greets everyone on the way in, thanking them for coming to her show. This is a nice touch to this unique, creative, uplifting, hilarious and dark-humoured show, Horses, which is “performed entirely by a horse”. Before disappointing audiences who might show up expecting a real horse, or angering vegan activists, which Elf claims happened on her recent Australian tour, it’s important to note here that Elf plays the horse.
“Everything you’re about to see is real,” Elf explains in the first uproarious voice of the show; the narrator. “In a moment I’m going to bring a real horse onstage.” The roars of laughter from the audience in the packed auditorium have begun.
In this “verbatim piece of theatre”, centered on Treacle the horse, Elf not only embodies several integral horses through history, she plays dozens of character and even embodies a windmill and an “out of control” combine harvester. In this imaginative one-woman show, she fills the stage with her captivating energy, clever movement and ingenious ideas.
From a wobbly foal taking its first steps to elderly Half Pint, Elf’s expression of various horses, whether its brrrilliant sounds, horsey mannerisms or exaggerated characterisations, is clever comedy genius. Horses takes the audience on a journey through different chapters, moving between characters and scenes thanks to sharp timing and slick stage lighting. This show also relies on audience participation, which in Brighton worked very well – willing audience members (watch out front few rows!) seemed infected by Elf’s powerful willingness to do everything full throttle.
Elf Lyons Horses At The Old Market: Preview
What is somewhat unexpected in a show about a horse, not that I quite knew what to expect, is the heartwarming autobiographical element weaved into it. Through recorded interviews with Elf’s brother, sister, mum and dad, lip synced by a spotlighted Elf, we learn about her childhood, her passion for horses and that she was definitely not sporty. These interviews lead to a joyful ending that may awaken your inner child and awaken a warm fuzzy feeling in your tummy but I won’t say any more!
Something else that stands out is how Elf keeps this show fresh with off the cuff responses to the audience, reflections on previous shows, including the reviews, which have commented in a variety of ways on her body. Elf has transformed bizarre comments about her, which reflect how women in the industry’s bodies are scrutinised, into witty parts of the show, for example her “long limbs” feed into her hilarious story about a little girl Priscilla who finds herself stuck down a well.
Elf Lyons has incredible stage presence, brilliant writing and wit. She manages to deliver edgy humour and charmingly get away with it. She also gets away with her trickery: “Audience, I was deceiving you… I was only pretending to be a horse.”
After a short interval, the show culminates with a brief stand-up set. Elf gives a bit more context for the show and why the stand-up is the second part (we wouldn’t have believed she was a horse if it were the other way round.)
I first saw Elf at a Stamptown showcase at the Soho Theatre and thought she was briliant. It was great to see this show as part of Reigning Women Festival at The Old Market, one of my favourite Brighton and Hove venues. I can’t wait to see what Elf does next. If you like laughing every few seconds, and being surprised and uplifted, make sure you see Elf Lyons’s revered show while you can.
