David Elms Describes a Room
David Elms Describes a Room is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Pleasance Courtyard. It has 28 performances listed, running from Wed 5 Aug, 21:30 to Sun 30 Aug, 21:30. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
Following last year's sell-out run, the critically acclaimed cult hit show returns. Together with his audience, veteran improviser Elms builds a comedy mind palace before your very eyes. 'David's very clever. He's made a show that's funny, original and different every time' (Tim Key). 'A lesson in the transcendent power of collective imagining' (Guardian). 'A strikingly impressive feat of memory, world-building and forging of communal purpose' (List). 'A real triumph of the human imagination' (Skinny). 'One of the most original and artistic comedy shows on the fringe' (Chortle.co.uk).
Details
- Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
- Space: Upstairs
- Genre: COMEDY, Improv
- Country: UNITED KINGDOM - ENGLAND
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Ed Fringe Guide rating: Wild Cards
- Room size: about 91 seats (Upstairs) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 28, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: lift
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet, Hearing loop
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Queue in cobbled courtyard. Access to space via locked lift, please notify venue ahead of your visit if you require use of the lift and ask at Info Shed upon arrival for access. Wheelchair access type:Lift (Building Lift) Stairs: 20+ Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.
What the reviewers said
We have captured 3 published reviews and 18 audience reviews for this show from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s own listing. The excerpts below are the reviewers’ words, not ours — follow each link for the full review.
David Elms describes a room. Yes, it’s as simple as that. No, it’s not the room we are in. Yes, audience participation is required for it to work. And yes, it’s fantastic.
— EdFestMag (4 out of 5 stars)
As the audience enters Upstairs at Pleasance Courtyard to witness David Elms Describes a Room, only a lonely chair awaits.
Perhaps one of the most novel and ingenious improv shows at the Fringe, David Elms Describes A Room should also receive a garland for being one of the more literal titles around.
— The List
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Wed 5 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £10.00
- Thu 6 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £10.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Wed 12 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 23:15 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sun 16 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Mon 17 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Tue 18 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Wed 19 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Thu 20 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Fri 21 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 23:15 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sun 23 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Mon 24 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Tue 25 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Wed 26 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Thu 27 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Fri 28 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sat 29 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sun 30 Aug, 21:30 — Already performed — £17.00