There is a common saying in showbiz that you should never work with children or animals. But what if you were to become the animal? What then? Well, that is exactly what Elf Lyons has created. Simply titled Horses, this is the first ever comedy show performed entirely by a horse named Treacle.
During this unique one-hour performance, Treacle takes us on a strange and wonderful journey through time, introducing us to various other horses, including some of those that made an impact on history. During this journey, we are apprised of some weird and unbelievable facts about horses. For example, there are more statues of horses in the United Kingdom than there are of women!
Horses does have some audience participation, especially for those seated in the front row. From patting Treacle’s head to being chosen as the (un)lucky one to hold a shotgun as we witness the final moments of the famous war horse Half-Pint and the end of his life.
We also meet Chubby, the pony ride horse that has had just a little too much of being ridden by children, culminating in a dark and hilarious conclusion. There is also the little dressage horse with some playful and funny moments as she meets Toffee the young racehorse that just wants to be a lion.
There is plenty to love about this show. The characters that Elf Lyons has created are both interesting and wonderful. There are also audio tracks that help set the scene and narrate as the show progresses. The comedy is self-aware and very intelligent, leading to some hilarious moments where Elf breaks character to poke fun at some of the reviews she has received over time. After hearing these anecdotes, I have no idea what those other reviewers were thinking because Horses is flawless.
Horses is downright hilarious and left me with a sore jaw from smiling and laughing the entire time, yet it is also heartfelt love letter to Elf Lyons’ childhood. Horses did not come from nowhere. The idea of prancing around on stage, pretending to be a horse, came direct from Elf’s own lived experience. As a child, Elf loved to play horse with her siblings and with the exponential growth of technology and how children are now locked to a screen, nobody wants to play anymore. The sheer childish joy of make-believe is dying, and Horses is a loving tribute to what the children of today are missing out on.
At the end of the show, I was sore from laughing, but my heart was so full. In a grand finale, we, the audience, were invited onto the stage to join Elf Lyons as she played horse one last time. I obliged, as did about 15 other keen people, all of us gathered and trotted around the stage in a big circle that was filled with light-hearted pure joy. Plus, as we left the theatre, there were attendees with tears streaming down their faces, not sad but happy and reminiscent of a time where life was as simple as waking up and playing in the land of make believe.
This comedic work of art is one of the biggest and most wholesome surprises at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Elf Lyons appears to have an innate ability for storytelling in the most gorgeous, authentic and unique way. Horses is exquisitely funny, beautifully childish, thoughtfully endearing, deeply moving, and at times, surprisingly educational. I love Horses.
Elf Lyons’ Horses is currently playing at The Malthouse – The Tower as part of the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 20th. The show then heads to the Factory Theatre in Sydney from April 23rd to April 27th. Powerhouse in Brisbane from May 1st to May 4th, and the Goodwill Club in Perth on May 8th and 9th. I can’t wait to see Elf Lyons again when she eventually returns to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/elf-lyons-horses
https://www.century.com.au/elf-lyons-horses