Guest Workshop: Solo-Prov & Being Obvious

Learn to be present, obvious, and boldly simple as David Elms guides you through grounded improv and the joyful art of solo-prov in this workshop at Summerhall.

About Guest Workshop: Solo-Prov & Being Obvious

	19th April 2026
	10am
	Summerhall 1 Summerhall , Edinburgh South EH9 1PL
	From £42 to £72 Find Tickets
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Listed Under Workshops Events / Comedy Events / Learning Events

Learn to be present, obvious, and boldly simple. David Elms guides you through grounded improv and the joyful art of solo-prov.

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.

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