Elf Lyons: Swan
The Hetzel Room at The Courtyard of Curiosities at the State Library
Tue  24 Feb, 2026

Firstly let me say how grateful I am that I didn’t have to sit through three hours plus of ballet, including interval. Thanks to Elf Lyons the story of Swan Lake is reduced to its bare elements. Well, ‘reduced’ is perhaps derogatory. Let’s say the story is processed through the lens of her childhood memories of being forced into dance lessons, then produced from her variously acquired skills, with the help of a variety of everyday household appliances.

This outrageous comedy spares no-one in Tchaikovsky’s famous piece of work. Siegfried, Odette and the main villain take various forms with puppets, masks and the handy help of willing volunteers. The supporting cast are also brought to life with scathing humour and parodies of dance moves. The chorus line get the short shrift they deserve. But fear not; far from traditional, this is as modern as modern dance gets.

The name ‘Elf’ would normally conjure up tiny creatures, child-size Santa’s helpers, or bludgers sitting on a shelf all day. However this towering figure - no tottering toes needed - leaps, cavorts and commands the stage with piercing precision. Her searing wit is showcased throughout as she keeps up a running commentary on her own performance. For a talking parrot her French is perfect to begin with. This gradually morphs through a hybrid-fusion-pidgin to English, although don’t quote me on that when you go along. The unexpected is what you can expect from this furiously funny person.

From the outset you feel you are in a completely safe pair of legs - and hands, the legs being the obviously dominant feature of a dance themed story. Her consummate clowning skills are evident from the get go, and seem to grow in power as the intimate audience interactions progress. Her talents are channeled through the silly situations she has cleverly crafted, while she remains totally present as herself.

While some of the characters in this show may argue about when a pond becomes a lake, or what size it takes to qualify as one, it is abundantly clear that Elf Lyons is a big fish in a superior sea of comedians. Whatever shyness she may have had as a child, this hilarious show reveals a woman willing to be wobbly in all the right ways.