Finlay Clench
David Elms is great at the art of being simple, and creating great things out of simplicity. Picture this: we have an empty stage, David Elms and a chair, along with the bold, fearless imagination of an eager audience. This all sounds rather Peter Brook, and might come across a little dry and boring, but in reality, Elms in a magician in disguise: a master of the art of audience manipulation and creating something substantial out of very little.
Through a plethora of testing, trying and weaving answers out of audience members, David crafts an imaginary space for the audience. One which is a piece of collective creation and collective discovery, yet also a marker for the relationship which Elms has with his audience. Infinitely clever and delicate in his style, he shapes a space which suits everyone and involves everyone. This creates a new kind of imaginary theatre, which harnesses and does not inform.
Like a seductive drama workshop, at points, at points like your classic stand up comedian, Elms makes the audience feel immediately secure in his presence. With his sweet style, bounding humour and general love for the audience. He encourages the audience to offer any object to the room, to think on the spot and to be completely mindless in their offerings. He creates a kind of theatre which only survives from spontaneity and this only works thanks to his delicacy with the audience.
Every show is wildly different and Elms uses mere objects like a lamp, or a book to create small moments of hilarity. He improvises with perfect skill, never trying too hard to force a joke or crack too witty a quip. He simply uses what he is given and finds a seamless kind of humour in objects which aren’t even in the room.
Everything is perfectly random. The room, which is made by the audience, by Elms, is one with two dead cats, a sheep outside, and a woman looking longingly into the distance. Elms excavates the audience fully, and gently exploits their imagination to create a vivid yet slightly chaotic show. While the ending may cheapen the setup a little in its different tone, the show nonetheless totally captures your attention throughout.
Elms is insanely intelligent and remembers every little detail. He knows how to work a room, and how to work a room out.
Recommended Drink: A whisky, as was found in the room on the day I attended.
You can catch David Elms Describes A Room at Upstairs at Pleasance Courtyard until August 30th at various times (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Freddie Haberfellner
Lola Rose Wood
Hannah Hamilton
