Lizardman

His green skin, split tongue and general Lizard-physique are iconic, but do you really know much about the story behind what he does? We had a chat to Erik Sprague, aka Lizardman, ahead of his performance at the World Sideshow Festival in Ballarat.
Hi Lizardman, how are you and what are you up to at the moment? 
I’m well and I’m just putting the finishing touches on everything before I fly out for Bergen, Norway. I’ll be performing there and then Copenhagen the next week before I make my way to Ballarat for the World Sideshow Festival
A lot of people wouldn’t know but you actually studied philosophy of language and your transformation was for a body based art piece project. Has it been interesting for you seeing people’s reactions to your transformation? 
It’s been very interesting and educational. There’s an old saying in tattooing that goes, ‘I can tell more about you from how you react to my tattoos than you can tell about me from my tattoos’. I’ve found that to be absolutely true. By reading someone’s reaction to seeing me I get a pretty good sense about them but all they know about me is that I’m green.
Did you find that as you were undergoing the transformation that your personality changed at all due to your appearance? 
I always kind of thought of it as making my appearance a better match for my personality, so I don’t think it really changed me but it certainly did reinforce certain aspects.
And are you still modifying your appearance currently? What’s the most recent thing you’ve had done?
I’m at a stage now where I’m most focused on getting my tattoo finished – I schedule sessions whenever I can during time off from the road. My last session was several hours on my ribs and armpits, not very pleasant.
With all the procedures that you’ve had done, does it get easier with each one? 
I think I’ve gotten better at preparing myself and then handling the healing process, but I wouldn’t say it has gotten any easier – it still hurts, every time.
I read that you’ve taken a break on lifting/pulling with your piercings, but you’re working towards doing it again. Are you far off doing those stunts? 
I set a world record last year for lifting and spinning 16 kilograms with my earlobes. In preparation for that I was actually doing a lot more weight as I wanted to be able to beat any number they set for me when I got there. That put a lot of strain on my earlobes so I gave them a rest for a few months with only light or rare lifts and now I am working back up to record strength again – which is really more about endurance than weight. I can lift just as much weight now but it’s very hard and I can only do it once or twice a day but after another month or so I should be able to do it easily several times.
It’s interesting that you chose to be a human Lizard and yet you have 11 ferrets, what do you love about the furry creatures? 
My wife and I have five ferrets, though we’ve had a total of eleven over the years but never more than five at once. She had two when we moved in together and I just fell in love with them too. They are fun and interesting pets and I like fun and interesting things.
Do they ever make an appearance in your performances?
I’ve suggested it before, maybe something along the lines of Harry Anderson’s classic ferret trick, but Meghan doesn’t think any of our ferrets would like life on the road.
You’ll be coming down for the World Sideshow Festival in Ballarat soon, do you think it’s important to recognise the Sideshow performers on a large scale? 
I think that anyone who devotes themselves the way that sideshow performers have to in order to learn the craft and make a living doing it deserves recognition. Sideshow continues to grow every year and it’s important to set precedents, establish the history, and recognise the people making it happen.
Thanks again for chatting with us, is there anything you’d like to add before we finish up? 
Nothing left to say but make sure to get your tickets for the festival!
When & Where: Mechanics Institute, Ballarat – May 21-23