CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation is a joke that practically writes itself, and an undeniably good premise for an improv performance. This choose-your-own-adventure whodunnit comes from an experienced troupe who have brought it to Wilton’s Music Hall ahead of a return to the Edinburgh Fringe. The assured and dynamic cast get plenty of laughs from the audience’s wacky suggestions, even if the whole thing feels distinctly on the chaotic side.
Offering a plot summary of CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation feels slightly redundant, as by its nature it changes with every performance. At the start of the show the audience are invited to supply the victim’s name, their profession, and the method of their murder. (In our case, the respective answers were Florence Butterworth, underwater welder and death by foot massager.) Around these three anchors the cast create the show, taking us to the murder scene and introducing the suspects. As befits a murder mystery, high drama ensues, with affairs, love children, jealous rivals and the like, before the audience are allowed to question the suspects, and eventually cast their votes for the guilty party.
The cast clearly know what they’re doing, gamely jumping into their new premise without hesitation. They’re a high-energy group, and quickly have the audience laughing with physical comedy, soapy character turns and the classic “yes, and” spirit of improv. They respond cleverly to the crowd, making the most of the jokes that land the best.
Of course, it’s a bold ambition to invent an entire murder mystery on the spot, so it’s understandable that it turns into a fairly chaotic affair. It’s not always clear from scene to scene who’s who, or indeed what on earth they actually have to do with our welding, massage-loving victim. (Though that confusion did result in one of the best laughs of the night, when the confessing murderer realised mid-monologue that she’d offed her own daughter.)
The audience interaction is used more as a bookend for the show, rather than an ongoing part of the storytelling. There’s a sense that there may be some prepared scenes and plot points, or at the very least, a template for the show that the crowd’s suggestions have then been slotted into. A reasonable choice to ensure the show makes some kind of sense as a whole, but also a bit of a shame because some of the best gags come from the cast riffing on the audience’s suggestions.
CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation comes together in a rough-and-tumble sort of way but the cast lean into the chaos, milking the absurdity and corpsing all over the place. It’s their infectious energy that keeps the train on the rails, and if you’re willing to sit back and enjoy the ride, there are plenty of laughs to be had.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
