CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation 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.
Following multiple five-star sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation returns with another rip-roaring crime comedy made up entirely on the spot.
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.
No one knows who the killer is, not even the cast!
Who? What? How? The choice is yours in this fully improvised, witty and absurd murder mystery where the audience creates the crime.
Crime Scene Improvisation was winner of the ‘Best Improv’ at Leicester Comedy Festival 2023 and is now in its 10th year.
The co-creators, Lee Apsey, Steve Bond, James Cann, Danielle Downey, Sarah Kempton, Nicola Lucey will also be performing in this upcoming production on Friday 12 July at 7:30pm.
The Artiscape spoke to Nicola Lucey about this upcoming show. Nicola is an actor and comedy improviser. She trained at The Gaiety School of Acting, The National Theatre School of Ireland, and previously appeared in Anú Productions’ multi–award-winning Laundry as part of their acclaimed Monto Cycle.
What inspired you all to come up with this show format?
Lucey: We knew we wanted to create an improv show and a murder mystery seemed like a fun and popular style to explore. We were coming from a variety of creative backgrounds including improv, theatre acting, screenwriting and directing so could all learn from each other and bring different things to the table. We played around with ideas for the format for months before doing our first show and have made tweaks through the years. I think what always excites us most was how much we could build in audience interaction to help shape the story.
What can an audience expect with this upcoming showshow?
Lucey: We’ll create a unique world full of suspects based on the audience suggestions. They’ll be opportunities for them to delve into the evidence and interrogate all suspects before deciding who is guilty. It’s a murder mystery but most importantly a comedy so hopefully there’ll be lots of laughs along the way!
You are hitting the 10th year anniversary of the show, why do you think audiences love it so much?
Lucey: I think audiences always love a good whodunnit and I think our show is unique in how involved the audience can get especially in terms of questioning suspects and ultimately choosing who did it and needs to confess! Hopefully they also enjoy the fun we’re having playing with each other and them in creating this never to be seen again world together.
What are the challenges in improvising a show for an actor?
Lucey: You don’t know your lines! I don’t think I’d ever been as nervous performing as before my first improvisation show. Not knowing what was about to happen was terrifying at the start but now that’s what I really enjoy. Every show is a new adventure.
What are you looking forward to about this upcoming performance at Wilton’s Music Hall?
Lucey: It’s a beautiful venue to play in and it will be our largest single night audience. I always enjoy playing with everyone and still get surprised and delighted by what they create and try not to get caught laughing! Mostly, looking forward to putting on an amazing show for the audience to celebrate our 10 years working together.
