Guest Workshop: Solo-Prov & Being Obvious

Workshop Overview

Slow Down, Tune In & Step Into Presence
If you’ve ever felt the pressure to be dazzling, clever, or instantly hilarious on stage, these workshops invite you into a different way of improvising — one built on simplicity, awareness, and genuine presence.

Join acclaimed improviser and teacher David Elms for a half-day deep dive into slowing down, stripping back, and finding the surprising richness inside “the obvious.” In the morning, you’ll explore how to release the urge to over-think, over-explain, or over-engineer your scenes, replacing all that noise with clear behaviour, space-work, and embodied choices.

In the afternoon, David will guide you through the playful and liberating world of solo improv. Through emotional connection, physical exploration, and structured freedom, you’ll learn how to stay grounded and creative even when it’s just you onstage — culminating in your own mini-version of his acclaimed Describes A Room format.

These workshops are designed to be welcoming, gentle, and deeply refreshing for improvisers of any background or level.

Morning – Slow, Stupid & Obvious
This 3-hour workshop will strip back the false assumptions and unnecessary pressures we put on ourselves as improvisers to be funny, clever, and interesting and to Crete dramatic scenes full of conflict. That will allow us to fill our scenes with behaviour instead of debate. Exercises will incorporate silent work, space-work, and will focus on establishing and paying off patterns of unusual behaviour instead of endless intellectual back-and-forth gags. Suitable for all levels of experience.

Afternoon – Playing with Yourself: The Art of Solo-prov
This 3-hour workshop is a rare opportunity to practise improvising solo in a friendly and supportive environment. Exercises will incorporate space-work, emotional choices, and elements of clowning to give you the tools and confidence to exist on stage without a scene partner. Participants will also learn the ‘Describes A Room’ format from David’s critically-acclaimed show and perform a mini-version of the show. Suitable for all levels of experience.

Schedule:

Sun 19 April: Solo-prov & Being Obvious
- 10am-1pm Slow, Stupid & Obvious workshop
- 1pm-2pm lunch break*
- 2pm-5pm Playing with Yourself workshop

*You can bring your lunch or head out for it - the Summerhall cafe & pub are just upstairs!

🧘 How to Show Up

• Arrive early: please plan to arrive 10 minutes before class so we can start and end on time.
• Dress comfortably: wear movement-friendly clothes that cover you fully (we’ll be moving throughout the space).
• Bring water: a reusable water bottle is encouraged — hydration fuels creativity!

🎟️ Prerequisites

None. These workshops are open to improvisers of any level!
Ages 16 and up.

👩‍🏫 About David Elms (he/him)

David Elms is a long-standing figure in the UK improv scene, with over 15 years of experience spanning both short and long form. After beginning with The Improverts in Edinburgh, he taught at London’s Free Association from 2017–2024 before launching leapday, his own improv school and community at Seven Dials Playhouse in the West End.

David is the creator and performer of the cult-hit solo show David Elms Describes A Room, now a monthly staple at the FA Theatre. The show has toured widely across the UK, including sold-out runs at Soho Theatre and the Edinburgh Fringe.

Beyond improv, David is widely recognised for his role as Goldsworth in Nick Mohammed’s Mr Swallow stage shows, and as Clive in the semi-improvised Netflix sitcom Borderline.

Prices:
1/2 Day: Earlybird £35 (use code HALFDAYFUN at checkout) / Regular: £42

Full Day: Earlybird £60 (use code DAYFUN at checkout) / Regular: £72
Earlybird discounts until 29 March

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