leapdayReviews 

Fantastic course! David is a wonderful teacher. Lots of fun!

I first trained with David back in 2018 and have never forgotten his unassuming, grounded and playful approach to improv.

I recently completed his eight-week course and loved it. He doesn't gate-keep improv, and the course is open to everybody, regardless of experience. The classes were practical, supportive, packed with insight and, most importantly, great fun. We also just consistently laughed our heads off. This class quickly became the highlight of my week, and I miss it.

David's teaching consistently brings me back to a simple idea: just be a human on a stage doing stuff. His approach encourages a sense of ease, and he is thoughtful and supportive in his feedback.

I really recommend anything by David Elms. The eight-week course is a great starting point, refresher or stretch. Also, head along to a jam, because they're always the most fun.

So fun and playful! I’ve tried a few improv schools in London and Leapday feels like the best mix of an incredibly high standard of teaching/coaching combined with inclusive, gentle playfulness suitable for everyone. 100% worth doing however much experience you do or don’t have

I had never done anything like this before and was very nervous to go along. David made it clear he didn’t believe in beginners and runs a course that eases you in slowly. By the end I was having the time of my life. I couldn’t recommend this course highly enough. Easily the best improv teacher in London and would recommend him to anyone.

I took David's 8 week improv course and couldn't recommend it more.

David is such a funny and patient teacher, with a real knack for bringing out the best performances in everyone. I learnt so much in those 8 weeks, not just about improv but also about performing and listening in general. I saw everyone improve so much as the weeks went by.

I also laughed more in those classes than in any other improv class I've taken. David makes each class such a joy to take part in. Each class has 'having fun' at the heart of it, with improv lessons sneakily hidden alongside. I would 1000% take this course again.

The highlight of my week, every week!

Hello! I highly recommend this course. I'd never done improv before and went in tentatively but loved every session. Great value, great structure, fun and challenging, but at the end of the day it's all jazz.

Taking leapday’s long form improv course is like starting at the end of a 15-year improv career with all the answers.

After doing hundreds of classes and workshops with the best improvisers around the world, I can safely say that nobody teaches Game of the Scene better than David Elms at leapday.

I’d recommend this course if you want to get really comfortable on stage, find new ways to improvise and make your audience cry with laughter without ever trying to be funny.

And these courses always sell out, so get in while you can!

I’ve taken David Elms’ eight-week course at Leapday twice now, and I can honestly say it’s been one of the most joyful and unexpectedly transformative experiences I’ve had in years.

I come from a background as an actor and now acting teacher, but with very little comedy improvisation under my belt. I didn’t sign up to become an improviser, I came looking for something lighter; A way to let go, have fun, and maybe even bring a bit more playfulness into my parenting. What I found was so much more.

David creates a space that is welcoming, relaxed, and quietly electric. Even when working alongside very experienced improvisers, I never felt out of place. His approach isn’t about over-teaching or over-explaining, it’s about encouraging presence, play, and discovery. And when you do get stuck, he offers just the right guidance to nudge you forward, always reinforcing that mistakes are not just allowed, but essential.

One of the things I respect most is that David gets in there with you. He plays alongside you. That dissolves any sense of hierarchy and creates a true ensemble feeling. There’s no pedestal, just trust in his expertise and a shared curiosity of the work.

What really clicked for me is his emphasis that it’s not about what you say, it’s about what you do. That simple shift changed my experience of improv. It allowed me to experience freeness in play. My actor training is focused on depth so being able to get up there and allowing myself to make, sometimes nonsensical choices and allow silly scenarios to evolve was truly a breath of fresh air!

The atmosphere he builds is one where we shouldn’t give care about status, background, or “getting it right.” It’s about creating, connecting, and being present and everyone has their own flavour to offer.
In a world that often feels overly serious, this work reminds you of the value of being a little slower, a little sillier, and a lot more open.

I left not only with a real buzz for improvisation, but also with new friendships and a renewed sense of play.

Thank you, David, for opening that door.

I’d wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone, whether you’re a performer, a professional team, or simply someone looking to reconnect with creativity and joy.

David has built an exceptional community via Leapday and his style of teaching & would thoroughly recommend. everyone is so welcoming and the quality of improv high but without the rigidity of some other improv schools

David is a very good improv teacher. One of the most useful things I’ve learnt from him is to trust the process rather than forcing a clever idea too early. Often the simpler, more committed choice gets the bigger laugh, and that really does work in practice. The sessions are always enjoyable, I laugh a lot, and the people he attracts are smart and generous. I’ve come away better at improv and had a genuinely great time doing it.

David is the best! This was my second time taking his 8 week course and I have had such a brilliant time (again!). David creates a warm, supportive, gloriously silly environment that enables his students to consistently have loads of fun whilst also learning how to feel more confident, relaxed and free on stage. Thank you David!

Had an incredible time on David’s 8-week course (long-form improv). Class members had a mix of experience with improv and the atmosphere was welcoming to all - the group was very supportive. I’ve been doing improv for a few years and learnt a lot! Not least, every class was really fun. Recommend!

David is a fantastic teacher, and I absolutely loved my experience at Leapday.

I felt like I have learned a huge amount, and I really greatly enjoyed every session.

Just finished an 8 week course with David and it was the best 8 weeks ever. David's approach and style are on point, safe and so so funny. Had such a blast and learnt so much. I wasn't the only one that visibly grew in confidence from the first session I kid you not. I have done improv with quite a few teachers and they were great, but David's style was leap years ahead. Literally the best!!! Ps to my ADHD and AuDHD friends, if like me you have a racing mind that randomly stops and starts and literally 200 screens always on at the same time like I do, David's approach and guidance around slowing things down and pacing scenes, is where I found my gateway to improv - and those techniques helped me outside of improv too!! Thank you David!!

David’s teaching is fantastic. His patience and attention to detail really helped me develop as an improviser. The room David created was such a fun place to perform and learn in. The intensive made me more playful, open and confident in my improv! Diamond!
Excited to get down to a Leapday jam soon and keep practicing!

The course provided great learning for solo improv performance. The coach is very calm and kind also wonderfully experienced about the performance so I am really glad to work on my performance during the workshop. It was a fantastic help as an experienced performer I would love to come back and continue to practice there.

David made me feel comfortable and safe knowing that he was giving good direction in a generally fun atmosphere.

I had not thought of doing an improv class before I became aware of David Elms doing one. He is a man at the absolute top of his game who knows everything that's worth knowing about improv, with half a lifetime's worth of professional experience. And yet - he is not a proscriptive teacher and the course gives you the freedom to use the tools he gives you in any way you'd see fit. He is constantly encouraging and takes great joy in teaching and it is a pleasure to hear what he has to say. I would strongly recommend this course to people of all experience levels.

Super fun experience at David's Improv Jam, recommend to anyone, regardless if you're advanced or brand new to improv! David was lovely - welcoming, kind and funny, and made improv feel like fun. I didn't feel stressed or intimidated for a moment even though most of the people were a lot more experienced. Everyone was lovely, the venue is really cool, great location, and the bar does drinks as well as hot tea. Highly recommend.

David is a wonderful teacher. Never placing himself in the spotlight, but always celebrating his pupils. He's able to get anyone to think like a seasoned improviser, and feel confident in taking it slow.

He's more into clown and mine than highly cerebral acts, and it's infectious.

I highly recommend his workshops and jams... I'm beginning to be a mega fan :)