Elf and her dad take on one of Britain’s favourite grumbles:the railways. Are they really as bad as we think? In this episode, they dive into how the system was privatised, the bonkers ticket pricing maze, and just how much of the bill taxpayers are actually footing. Why are Japanese trains sogood? But it’s not all doom and diesel fumes—expect pigeons, cats, bats (yes, bats), and a few surprises along the way. All aboard!

Recorded live on-stage at The Listening Post, Latitude’s spoken word venue, comedian Elf Lyons and her economist Dad, Dr Gerard Lyons are buzzing on festival energy as they discuss the facts and figures behind the creative world.

How much does an artist actually make from tour? What’s AI doing to how we make content and consume our culture? What are the economics of music festivals? Has the Edinburgh Fringe lost its USP?

From gaming in Dundee to a sold-out festival in Suffolk, creativity isn’t just culture, it’s a serious business that touches every part of our economy.

Comedian Elf Lyons and the economist Dr Gerard Lyons explore the economics of newspapers and how the industry has been forced to transform in recent decades to try to secure its future. The ways we get news are changing and, in a world of TikTok, echo chambers, clickbait and AI generated headlines, the need for quality journalism has never been greater. Elf and Gerard discuss the history of Fleet Street, media trust and the important function that newspapers play in a democracy.

Are student loans really a tax? Are they fair? And are they putting people off going to university? Elf Lyons and economist Dr Gerard Lyons accrue your interest about the debt incurred by students to finance their courses (and potentially their socialising). We’ll discuss the current landscape of loans and tuition fees, examine how higher education was paid for in the past, look at different systems around the world and how things could be improved. Elf and Gerard have seven degrees between them and one of them is still paying for their education….

Why is your £5 crop top such a big deal?

In this episode of Elfonomics, Elf Lyons and economist Dr Gerard Lyons unravel the tangled threads of fast fashion, from Zara’s tight turnarounds to Shein’s thousands of new designs in a week. How did fast fashion became a global juggernaut? What's its appeal to consumers? And what does it cost the planet (and the people who make our clothes)?

Fertility is falling, IVF is rising, and bringing up a child in the UK now costs more than buying a house! In this heartfelt and data-packed episode, comedian Elf Lyons and her economist father Dr Gerard Lyons unpack why so many people want kids but can’t afford them — and what it means for the economy, the planet, and our future.

Elf and Dr Gerard Lyons tease future episodes.

Elf and her dad dive into the economics behind theatre ticket prices. From production costs to audience demand, we explore why a night at the theatre can feel like a luxury—and whether it has to. Join us for a fascinating look at the hidden mechanics of the stage, via West End spectacles, regional productions and fringe gems.

Here are links to articles referenced in the ep:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/true-cost-west-end-ticket-in-depth-look-james-steel/

https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/patrick-gracey-beyond-ticket-prices-the-battles-and-benefits-of-regional-theatre-the-stage-2024-uk-ticketing-survey

#TheatreEconomics #PodcastEpisode #Elfonomics #TheatreTickets #BehindTheScenes #TheatreMagic #ArtsFunding #TheatreLovers #EconomicsExplained #WhySoExpensive #WestEnd #TheatreIndustry #PodcastersUnite #elfonomics #elflyons #drgerardlyons #edfringe #edinburghfestival