David Elms’ low-level subtlety is a delight to watch. His stand-up is often so mundane that it breaks past the barrier of observational comedy into the detached realm of the absurd. When talking about clouds, rain and haircuts, Elms is a victim of his own style: he often appears so bored with his own humdrum dryness that he frequently gets distracted during his own jokes. It’s a shame really, because he’s rather good. Mumbling from joke to joke, Elms struggles to keep the audience on board, and so any energy he manages to build up is temporary. It’s like having a strict but cool dad: he treats the audience with “fun”, but frustrates them while they wait.

Pleasance Courtyard, until 31 Aug.
tw rating 3/5 | [Robert Stevens]