David Elms
David Elms is an actor, improviser, writer and stand-up comedian.
David currently performs his improvised one-man show 'David Elms Describes A Room' monthly at the Free Association Theatre...
David currently performs his improvised one-man show 'David Elms Describes A Room' monthly at the Free Association Theatre, and reprised his role as Mr. Swallow's beleaguered director, Goldsworth, in 'Mr Swallow's Christmas Carol...ish' at the Soho Theatre, Christmas 2022. His short film 'Regular', written, directed and scored by David and starring Tim Key and Laura Marling, aired on Channel Four as part of Random Acts in 2017. At the Fringe, he has been well received with his three solo shows as well as for roles in hit shows 'Mr Swallow The Musical', 'Adam Riches is Coach Coach', and 'Mr Swallow: Houdini'. On TV, David played series regular Clive in Channel 5's semi-improvised sitcom 'Borderline'.
In 2025, David Elms enjoyed an outstanding and critically acclaimed run of his show, 'David Elms Describes a Room,' at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The show garnered multiple four- and five-star reviews, including high praise from THE GUARDIAN, which called it: "An object(less) lesson in the transcendent power of collective imagining...a lovely, skilful and understated hour of extempore comedy."
Reviews of David
“Beautiful, clever, funny and engaging” THE SCOTSMAN
“An oddball original” THE LIST
"Staking out his own comedy territory" THE GUARDIAN
"Elms is creating an alternate aesthetic that values the quiet and thoughtful over the loud and brash" CHORTLE
Acclaim for his improvised one-man show 'David Elms Describes A Room'
“David’s very clever. He’s made a show that’s funny, original and different every time. You go there and bathe in it and try not to be jealous you didn’t think of it. Superb.” Tim Key
“David builds a comedy mind palace before your very eyes. And you’ll want to move in for good!” Phil Wang
“You’d have to be dead not to enjoy it” Katy Wix
“Funny, evocative, thoroughly original improv - I can't wait to see it again” Liam Williams
"An hour of imaginative, soothing and gently immersive storytelling - the ASMR of improv" Rose Matafeo
"David Elms will make you laugh and break your heart by describing coat hooks. Astounding" Luke Healy
“A fun, wonderful and frankly joyous way to spend an evening. David Elms is captivating and compelling to watch” Ania Magliano
“Like nothing I've seen before. So funny, so original, and so moving.” Adam Drake
Other
| Borderline Channel 5 | Clive | 2016-01-01 |
| Regular Aired on Channel 4 | Director and Composer | 2017-01-01 |
| Siren Edinburgh Fringe Festival | Writer | 2017-01-01 |
| Machynnleth Stand up Show, Radio 4 Extra & BBC Wales | Performer | 2014-01-01 |
| Mister Boy Edinburgh 2015 | Writer / Performer | 2015-01-01 |
| Nurture Boy Edinburgh 2014 | Writer / Performer | 2014-01-01 |
| Goody Boy Edinburgh 2016 | Creator / Writer / Performer | 2016-01-01 |
| Adam Riches is Coach Coach Edinburgh 2015 | Performer | 2015-01-01 |
| Houdini: The Musical Pleasance 2016 & Soho Theatre 2017 | 2016-01-01 | |
| Mr Swallow The Musical Edinburgh 2014, Soho Theatre 2015 | Performer | 2015-01-01 |
| A Christmas Carol(ish) Soho Place | Mr Goldsworth | 2024-01-01 |
| A Christmas Carol(ish) Soho Theatre | Mr Goldsworth | 2023-01-01 |
| David Elms Describes a Room Soho Theatre | Self | 2025-01-01 |
| Harry Hill’s Clubnite Channel 4 | Mr Goldsworth | 2019-01-01 |
| The Sink: A Sleep Aid BBC | Voice | 2020-01-01 |
| David Elms Describes A Room Edinburgh Fringe | Creator/Performer | 2025-01-01 |
Gallery
