ELF LYONS
THEATRE & COMEDY
WORKSHOPS, DIRECTING AND MENTORING
Since Autumn 2022 Elf has been delighted to be the LAB leader of the Soho Theatre's Comedy Lab Plus + . This is a course for people already performing comedy (experience of 30+ gigs) but want to develop their skills further with industry advice and masterclasses. Details can be found on the Soho Theatre's website.
TEACHING & DIRECTING
Elf is a committed and experienced teacher - regularly mentoring teenagers, students and performers at all stages and levels of their practise all across the country. She teaches Drama, Clowning, Bouffon and Comedy.
Through her extensive experience as a performer, Elf has developed unique and dynamic exercises alongside her own performance methodology. Her objective is to inspire each individual, open them up to their body and its capabilities.
Alongside teaching artists on how to access their creativity, Elf has directed a wide range of comedy and theatre shows and offered her dramaturgical assistance to many artists. Elf has offered assistance and direction to the following artists and their shows; Marissa Carnesky (Showwoman); Willy Hudson (Welcome Home); Charlotte Anne-Tilley (Almost Adult); Rosie Holt (The Woman's Hour); Benji Waterstones; Tatty McLeod (Fugue); Amy Matthews (I Feel Like I'm Made of Spiders), Mary O'Connell (Money Princess), Cerys Bradley (Not Overthinking Things 2019) and Sian Davies (This Charming Man) amongst others.
In 2021 Elf completed her PGCE in Secondary Drama at Goldsmiths University. London and worked as a secondary school teacher in London up until April 2023.
WORKSHOPS
Elf regularly runs workshops at schools, universities, conferences and community centres alongside offering one on one mentoring for those who are keen to develop their craft and push themselves.
She regularly tutors and mentors in comedy and theatre practise via zoom - her sessions can be booked here.
For details of her future workshops, or to contact Elf regarding one on one mentorship and directing, contact her at info@theelflyons.com
UPCOMING DATES UK AND INTERNATIONALLY
11th - 14th December - Clowning & the Five Senses - Omnibus Theatre, London - Sold Out!
16th - 17th December - 2 Day Clowning & Bouffon - Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh, Scotland - Places Currently Available!
7th January - NEW WORKSHOP - Clowning for Actors - Working with text!- Omnibus Theatre, London - Booking open now!
20th - 21st January - 2 Day Clowning & Bouffon Worshop - Mezrab House of Stories, Amsterdam, Netherlands - Booking open now!
22nd January - 1x How to Create Your Solo Show - Club Haug, Rotterdam, Netherlands - Booking open now!
27th January - 1 Day Clowning & Comedy Workshop - Comedy Kiss, Zurich, Switzerland - Booking open now!
Future workshops in Iceland, Australia and beyond from Feb 2024 onwards on sale soon!
ONLINE MENTORING
Hit a block with your idea, script or what to do next with your routine? Don't want to leave your house - book an online 60 minute session with Elf and she will guide you with exercises, tips and tricks on how to scaffold your show.
Fee: £60 for one 60 minute session
IN PERSON MENTORING
Elf will practically work with you in a location of your choosing to help ignite your imagination and refine your work.
Fee:
£70 for 60 minutes.
Students and under 25: £55 for 60 minutes.
*Price can vary if location is outside of London.
DIRECTING
Elf has extensive experience working with theatre companies, and solo artists to explore, workshop and refine their ideas. She has worked in devised, physical theatre and scripted.
Fee:
£250 day rate
*This is from 10am til 5pm with a 1 hour lunch break).
£150 for half day -
*3 hours*
£120 for 2 hours in person.
If you are interested in working with Elf on a longer term project, contact Elf directly to discuss.
WORKSHOPS
Elf runs 1 day, 2 day and 5 day workshops throughout the year. In London and around the UK, as well as online.
If you are interested in participating in a future workshop, subscribe to Elf's website for updates!
Fee: Prices vary depending on venue and location.
SCOTLAND
*** NEW WORKSHOP*
HOW TO CREATE YOUR BRILLIANT SHOW USING YOUR BODY
Brand new two day Clowning Workshop with Elf Lyons
16th - 17th December 2023
10.30 - 3.30pm
Monkey Barrell Comedy. Edinburgh, Scotland
Cost for both days - £90. Cost for one day - £50.
In this fun, open-hearted and exploratory two day workshop Elf will guide you through a series of exercises and creative practises she uses when generating, structuring and performing work on her own. She will teach you how you can utilize them within your own personal practice and embrace your silliness.
Suitable for artists of all creative and performance disciplines - from dance, theatre, comedy, live art and cabaret.
This course is perfect for experienced performers who are keen to take their work to the next level and push themselves creatively
.Not suitable for artists who have only just started performing
.To participate and be considered for the course please email Elf Lyons with the your Name and the course in the title.
Please email and answer the following questions:
Who are you? (Your name and pronouns)
What is your experience in performing?
How would you describe yourself as a performers?
Why do you want to do the course?
Please give as much detail as possible.
There are limited spaces available.
Email info@theelflyons.com
LONDON
***NEW WORKSHOP***
CLOWNING AND THE FIVE SENSES
Brand new four day intensive comedy workshop with Elf Lyons
11th - 14th December 2023
10.30am - 5.30pm
The Omnibus Theatre, London
£280
Using a combination of clown, bouffon, puppetry, mime and devising exercises, award winning comedian and teacher Elf Lyons will guide you on how to use the five senses to create multi-sensory, memorable, immersive experiences between yourself and your audience.
Suitable for artists of all creative and performance disciplines - from dance, theatre, comedy, live art and cabaret.
This course is perfect for experienced performers who are keen to take their work to the next level and push themselves creatively.
Not suitable for artists who have only just started performing.
To participate and be considered for the course please email Elf Lyons with the your Name and the course in the title.
Please email and answer the following questions:
Who are you? (Your name and pronouns)
What is your experience in performing?
How would you describe yourself as a performers?
Why do you want to do the course?
Please give as much detail as possible.
There are Limited spaces available.
Email info@theelflyons.com
TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS
Elf ran a fantastic, fully inclusive clowning workshop for our group of young artists with complex needs. The workshop seamlessly blended laughter with learning and Elf had an exceptional understanding of how to make the workshop accessible: all participants were engaged, appropriately challenged and experienced something new. The unique abilities of all participants were nurtured and celebrated. Above all, the session was filled with silliness, fun and laughter!
Katie Black, Total Arts, Cambridge Junction
The sessions were energetic, lively and laugh out loud funny. I peed my pants
Flo, aged 12, Clown Camp for Kids
I couldn't have wished for a better course leader than Elf Lyons for the Comedy Plus Labs course at Soho. Within minutes of the first session, Elf put us all at ease and created a safe space for us to be vulnerable and push ourselves to create something we were truly proud of
Shabaneh, Comedy Labs + 2023
As a teacher Elf naturally fizzes with creativity and has an allergy for hack. Our performances in the end-of-course showcase were testament to this and were weird and often wonderful
Benji Waterstones, Comedy Labs + 2023
Elf gives surgically precise guidance that can take your material to where it needs to be instantly
Dru Cripps, Comedy Labs + 2023
It has been an absolute pleasure being taught by Elf on the Soho Comedy Labs Plus course - Elf is an inspiring and kind teacher, who knows exactly how to get the best out of students, by encouraging them to get out of their comfort zone, and by being incredibly supportive but also honest. The environment she created for us on the course was crucial in allowing us all to grow and push ourselves
Abbi Cole, Comedy Labs + 2023
Every session with Elf I learn something and howl with laughter. Her ability to create a fun loving atmosphere gives people the confidence to play and gain insights into their own performance. She has embraced and perfected the art of zoom teaching still keeping everyone engaged and involved
Marty Gleeson,Comedy Labs + 2023
"The course has helped me to unleash my creativity and has melted away all of my inhibitions. I’m no longer afraid to throw myself into the deep end, I can trust that I have all the skills needed to create some cracking material now. Elf has coerced the clown out of me and helped mould her into something I’m truly proud of
Serena
Elf’s brilliant course led me to a better understanding of who I am as a performer
Emma
Elf creates a warm and supportive environment that allows you to really explore your most ridiculous and off-beat ideas. I felt very seen as an individual, whilst also a part of an ensemble and I loved every minute. I left the course very inspired and with some great tools for continuing the work we started on my own
Hannah
If you have forgotten what it is like to play, or want to rekindle that flame then this is the course for you. Delightfully madcap & fun will ensue
Piero
Elf’s approach makes you really open up to the possibilities in creating solo work; how you relate to your audience and how you can achieve great comic theatre with simple techniques and principles. It’s a joy to experience the change when you experiment
Milly
Elf gave me a lot of tools & ideas to develop my creativity and structure my performance. Her workshops are also a warm environment where it is good to try ideas you are feeling shy about. I’ll come back!
Gratianne
Phenomenal and life giving weekend that allowed me to access parts of myself I never even knew existed. Led so kindly with just the right of push and go ahead to dare one into the unknown, uncomfortable to create the beautiful. And most importantly, so much fun!
Bambi
Time spent in an Elfy Lyons course for me is time spent in a safe space with encouragement to grow as a performer. I was challenged without being pushed, and I learned (a lot) while laughing. I recommend it!
Gerry
Elf facilitated a amazing 4 week clown workshop. I was able to explore new sides of performing and have individualized feedback which was so affirming and wonderful. The layout led to a really fun creative process and the activities were purposeful and awesome. Thank you!
Issy
Doing the course with Elf was great fun, and really changed the way I think about developing and relating to a character. The group created personas ranging from the tragic to the downright alarming, but between those more extravagant experiments we explored some really interesting ideas and, pleasingly, managed to be quite funny with it.
Chris