Lee Apsey is one of the co-creators of CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation, which will be bringing their sell out Fringe show to Wilton’s Music Hall for a one night only on Friday 12 July, marking the 10th anniversary of the production.
The debut performance of CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation was at The Red Lion Pub, Moorgate in 2014, created and performed by Lee Apsey, Steve Bond, James Cann, Danielle Downey, Sarah Kempton and Nicola Lucey.
The production has since enjoyed multiple sold out runs at festivals including Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Brighton Fringe and Leicester Comedy Festival.
You’re bringing CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation to Wilton’s Music Hall. What can you tell us about the show?
It’s the improvised murder mystery where no one knows who the killer is: not even the cast! It’s a long-running, award-winning comedy where the audience get to create a bizarre crime, ask any questions they want of the suspects and, ultimately, decide who’s off to the clanger.
This performance marks the 10th anniversary of CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation. How has the show evolved over the years?
Very much like a long running TV show. The original DNA is there and the core format, polished and refined for 6 months before our first performance, has mostly been consistent. However, with changing times, changing casts, and even audience tastes, the specific flavour continues to grow and adapt.
One of the bigger differences is that the original show held closer to scripted theatre style and conventions. As improv has had a big explosion in popularity over the last decade we’ve included more conventions from it: we flip more readily between the optics of classic theatre and improv daftness. The worlds mix and mingle more mischievously now.
The show is known for its unique format where the audience creates the crime. Can you explain how this interactive element works?
The whole show is built from the ground up for satisfying audience interaction. You’re all sat in theatre seating so you are safe to sit back and relax too by the way! But you have the full opportunity to create our murder: the victim, their job, and the (usually bizarre) item used to dispatch them.
We take that spark and build out an advancing story. The audience then get to run a line up, asking any questions they want. Ultimately, in the very last scene, the audience decide who is, and always has been, guilty. That’s the real magic trick of the show; picking any character that we’ve just created and seeing them tie it all together on the spot.
CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation has had multiple sold-out runs at various festivals. What do you think makes the show so popular with audiences?
The show is designed to make them win in every way and I think people recognise that. We have a lot of repeat audience members: some even see us every year!
We had some advantages to get the ball rolling: I have a background producing indie films so a lot of marketing came naturally, James Cann was far ahead of the curve on social media knowhow, Sarah Kempton, Nicola Lucey and Rachel E Thorn are all dynamite producers, both perceptive and incomparably diligent, but the nice thing about running successfully for ten years is that it shows, beyond any marketing and hustle, that the show itself really makes audiences happy, and that’s incredible.
Can you share any memorable moments or challenges from past performances?
I once knocked myself out on a stage speaker and fell into the aisle below the stage.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation?
This is your show. If you want to get deeply involved and try to solve the mystery as it happens, we will love you and you’re gonna have a good time. If you just want to kick back and have a laugh, we will love you and you’re gonna have a good time.
