Award-winning improv comedy CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation returns to Wilton’s Music Hall this July for another night of unscripted hilarity. With no script, no set ending, and no idea who the killer is, the cast – including co-creator Sarah Kempton – rely entirely on audience suggestions to solve a brand-new murder mystery each night.
Sarah Kempton, a seasoned performer and voice artist, shares what makes CSI such a unique theatrical experience, how the show has grown since its pub debut in 2014, and why improv continues to thrill audiences across the UK.
CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation plays Wilton’s Music Hall on Friday 4 July at 7:30pm. Tickets are available here.
You’re starring in CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation at Wilton’s Music Hall – what can you tell us about the show?
You, the audience tell us the name of the victim, their occupation and the murder weapon. We then meet the suspects in the wake of the murder. No one knows who did it (even the cast!!) At the end the audience decide who did it. We’ve had some fantastic suggestions in the past, it’s always my favourite bit to find out what the audience will suggest, so surprise us!!
CSI is completely improvised – how do you prepare for a performance where anything can happen?
Although we never have a clue what will happen, it’s all about trusting your teammates and working together. There’s a lot of technique to improv, we workshop regularly to make sure our skills and team bond are in perfect condition so we’re ready to face anything! I suppose it’s similar to a sport in that respect – you don’t know what will happen on a football pitch during a match, but as a team you’ve trained to be able smash it on the day!!
You’ve been part of the show since its early days. How has it evolved over the years?
I think one of the things I love most about the show is we always question how it can be better. It’s collaborative, and every person that’s ever been in the team has been able to contribute to making the show better. So, it’s evolved loads over the 11 years, and will continue to do so.
What’s the most unexpected or hilarious moment that’s happened on stage during a performance?
That would be last year in Edinburgh…we noticed a kerfuffle a few rows back, paused the show to check the audience we ok – and a gentleman had projectile vomited over three rows of audience…three. They were covered in it. The rows had to be shut off and repeatedly cleaned for the rest of the day. Our show is at 15:10 so he’d clearly had a great morning!
You’ve voiced characters in games and narrated audiobooks – how does improv compare to your other work?
It’s such a fun combo, I find being an improviser really helps me bring a playfulness and flexibility to my voice work. And equally skills from voice acting are incredibly useful when creating characters in improv. I also spend most of my working days on my own in the studio, performing in a small box, so it’s fantastic to be with a live audience and teammates!!
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation?
I like to think of improv as the ultimate in live theatre. Us and the audience create the show together, the atmosphere and suggestions we get have a direct impact on the show and I think in this age of screens it’s really exciting to be able to all create together like that.
