Zoe Lyons: Brighton, Biblical Rain and the Running Joke Podcast
Comedian Zoe Lyons has long been one of the UK comedy circuit’s most recognisable faces, with her sharp observational humour, quick wit and appearances across television and radio earning her a loyal following. But away from touring the country, Brighton and Hove is very much home, a city she speaks about with genuine affection. When we caught up, Zoe had just been preparing to return to one of her favourite local venues, Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT), for a comedy line-up hosted by Stephen Grant.
“I love that venue,” she told me. “It’s got such a lovely feel to it and a wonderful backstory. I’ve performed there quite a few times.”
There is, however, something of a running joke attached to Zoe’s BOAT appearances – the weather.
“When I perform there, it absolutely pisses down with rain, almost without fail,” she laughs, recalling one particularly memorable post-Covid performance. “It was literally biblical rain. I was standing there in a bin bag – two bin bags, one on my head risking life and limb from electrocution from the rain and the bloody microphone!”
Despite the downpour, the audience stayed. “It was such a relief to get out and perform and to be in front of people again. Every time I go there now, we laugh about it and check the weather radar.”
For Zoe, that defiant spirit is part of Brighton’s charm. “It feels very quintessentially British, despite everything, we’re here!”
Having made Hove her home, Zoe describes the city almost as another person in her life. “It sounds a bit hippy, but I consider the city a friend. It’s got such a strong personality and character. I don’t think you can feel alone here, if that makes sense.”
Her other Brighton loves? The sea, albeit as a self-confessed “fair-weather sea swimmer”, and its ever-growing food scene. Recent favourites include Brusco on Montpelier Road, where she recommends the cherry Negroni with one important warning: “Don’t have two!”
Next up locally, Zoe joins fellow comedian Esther Manito at Komedia on Mon 26 Oct for a live recording of their podcast The Running Joke. Combining comedy, running and women in sport, the podcast follows the pair’s adventures after completing the Brighton Half Marathon together and ahead of an even bigger challenge.
“For some reason, we’re doing the London Marathon next year,” Zoe laughs. “I’m so old and slow, but it’ll be nice. We’ll see the sights.”
The Running Joke Podcast | Komedia Mon 26 Oct 19:30
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