Anoushka Lucas’ award-winning play Elephant at the Menier Chocolate Factory is, directed by acclaimed theatre-maker Jess Edwards. Blending music, love, and a powerful exploration of identity, Elephant has captivated audiences with its bold storytelling and unique staging.
Following sold-out runs at the Bush Theatre, this reimagined production promises a fresh perspective on Lylah’s journey as she navigates family, romance, and the search for belonging in 21st-century Britain. Edwards, known for their innovative direction, brings new depth to Lucas’ celebrated script.
Elephant runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 28 June 2025. Book tickets at www.menierchocolatefactory.com.
You’re directing Elephant at the Menier Chocolate Factory, what can you tell us about the show?
It’s a powerful, funny, provocative and surprising solo show exploring what happens when you speak your mind. Unfolding across 20 years and jumping backwards and forwards through time, the show revolves around one girl’s intimate connection with her piano.
Elephant blends gig, musical love story, and a journey through Empire. How did you approach bringing these elements together on stage?
As a director, I am fascinated by bringing metaphors to life. I’m not generally drawn to naturalism, and I like to create stories that unfold like spirals rather than following a more linear and predictable narrative. In ELEPHANT, we use spoken text, song and music, and expressive physicality to always be telling the audience something different about the story. These three elements often exist in tension, and the intention is to create a dynamic insight into the character’s mind – supported by the extraordinary design elements from our incredible creative team: set designer Georgia Wilmot, lighting designer Laura Howard, video designer Gillian Tan, and sound designer XANA.
The show explores identity in 21st-century Britain through Lylah’s story. What drew you to this narrative, and how do you hope audiences connect with it?
I often work with auto fiction and lived experience work. I’m fascinated by how we can tell powerful, sometimes uncomfortable truths in theatrical settings. Anoushka and I have worked together before and have a very strong shared language. I developed the script with her alongside the Bush from a very early stage.
To be Anoushka’s co-pilot on this journey and telling this essential, vivid story has been amazing. I hope audiences see themselves in it – representing their experiences if they are Global Majority and challenging their expectations, conditioning and prejudices if they are white. At the same time, the show is a lot of fun. Laughter is such an important political activist force – so audiences can expect to laugh with ELEPHANT as well!
You’ve worked with Anoushka Lucas before- what was it like reuniting for this new production, and how has the show evolved?
We first started working on the show more than three years ago and it’s been such a privilege to come back to it, having worked extensively on other writing projects in the interim. We’ve both grown so much as artists and developed our respective crafts so it feels brilliant to bring this to the new production. Anoushka is an extraordinary artist – and my wonderful close friend – and to have the opportunity to be together again on this production has been wonderful.
As a multi-award-winning director and writer, what have been the most rewarding or challenging aspects of directing Elephant?
The most rewarding aspect has been the fun and joy we have in the process. Reuniting the incredible team has also been amazing – all the creatives working on this show are so skilled. I’ve also been very lucky to have a wildly talented associate director this time around, Alessandra Davison, who has brought so much more to the piece.
Honestly, the most challenging aspect of it has been my schedule! I’m currently in a crazy moment of opening three shows in three and a half months and though I feel so lucky to be making work it has been an intense time! Just before we went into rehearsals for ELEPHANT I opened Conversations After Sex by the amazing Mark O’Halloran at the Park Theatre. And now, I’m in rehearsals for Carrie (the musical) at Central School of Speech and Drama. I’ll sleep in July…
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Elephant?
Come for the beautiful music, stay for the intersectional provocation. Get ready to fall in love with both characters – Lylah and her piano.
