David Elms’ show ‘David Elms Describes A Room,’ was a sell-out hit at last year’s Fringe, and the first improv of my stay this time. Elms is a veteran improviser and teacher, and he welcomes us to a stage furnished with just a chair, smiling with the unflappable calm of someone who has put in many hours on stage.
He briefs us with the usual improv spiel – this room will only exist for one night – before gently approaching different audience members to ask for things to put in our room, pointing out gaps and encouraging them to expand on their suggestions. The contributions vary from lowkey to chaotic, with one gentleman having extremely specific and thorough requirements for the horse race painting (watercolour, amateur, point-to-point) that hangs on the wall. Elms (correctly) shivers at another person’s blue velvet sofa suggestion, but in the spirit of ‘yes, and,’ puts it in prime position. Some slight doubt is also allowed for the suggestion of a hanging candle, but the occasional impractical suggestions only add to the charm of the process as he methodically kits out the room.
As things proceeded, I did start to wonder about the end point, which turned out to be Elms exploring the room we’d created. It’s fun to watch him acknowledge all the different elements, especially ones that we’ve forgotten about from earlier in the show, and the more impractical or chaotic choices. He’s charming and understated, but it felt a little short given the build-up. Having said that, it felt charmingly soothing to watch the fruition of all our contributions, and I was sad to leave our little oasis and head out into the chaos and chatter of Pleasance Courtyard.
David Elms Describes a Room is on at Upstairs at Pleasance Courtyard (9.30pm) until the 30th August