You certainly cannot fault Elf Lyons’s ambition. Her last major show, Swan, was her solo take on Swan Lake — even though ballet is not her strongest suit.
This show, Chiffchaff, is a musical about economics. I doubt if it will be a Broadway contender, but she clearly has the requisite skills to parlay these unlikely bedfellows into an enjoyably daft show.
Lyons cheerily explains at the outset that finance is a subject close to her heart. Her father is an economist, so where other children were listening to lullabies she was being told about Milton Friedman. Dad also offered her a maverick tip on what not to do if life gives you lemons: don’t make lemonade, otherwise you will lose your only asset.
When it comes to comedy, Lyons is hardly lacking in assets. Apart from the self-mocking charm which swiftly wins over the audience, the pixieish performer is a compelling physical presence, throwing shapes, pulling faces and generally prancing around like a loon.
As for the songs, various classics are lyrically reassembled to tackle topics including tax and the GDP. Olivia Newton-John’s Let’s Get Physical is neatly converted into the more apt Let’s Get Fiscal, complete with a cartoon lap dance and the silliness dial cranked up to 11.
All of this is topped off with Theresa May popping up like a Stephen King killer, a sex doll called John Maynard Keynes and a guide to eating bananas like corn on the cob.
I’m not sure how much one actually learns about economics, but as a loopy, unique mash-up Chiffchaff is bang on the money.
Until Saturday March 30, except Wednesday (020 7498 4699, omnibus-clapham.org)
