Review: Crime Scene Improvisation, Wilton’s Music Hall

Featuring a cast of six experienced improv performers (Lee Apsey, Danielle Downey, James Cann, Nicola Lucey, Sarah Kempton, Steve Bond), Crime Scene Improvisation (CSI) undertakes an investigation of – well, no spoiler alert here – a crime scene, and indeed somebody has been murdered. The cast gives the audience very clear instructions to define three things: the name of the victim, their job and the murder weapon.

Reaching out to the audience (which quickly becomes a shouting match as to who could yell the loudest) proves to be an exceptionally fun way to start the engagement without a long-winded explanation. Certainly, on the night I went, the enthusiastic crowd boosted the excitement and anticipation as to what silly explanations and dialogues the performers would come up with. However, there is no need to worry about participation at an individual level, as decisions are almost always made by a majority response. 

While this highly experienced company will have heard all sorts of scenarios, I am not entirely convinced that they have heard this combination: Ron Plunger, the ice hockey referee was murdered by his own poor judgement. Despite the performers’ talent, it was clear that even they were amazed and rendered speechless for a split second when a truly bizarre question or response was given by the audience. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why certain jokes overstayed their welcome, as the cast attempted to buy time to conjure up a scenario that would allow the investigation to progress.

Given the performers’ slick coordination in response to audience prompts and directions, it is clear that this group has mastered the art of improvisation and are experienced in picking up each other’s subtle cues, bouncing off their respective intended strategies. What’s more impressive is that they are able to form a somewhat coherent plot while retaining key facts that they come up with on the spot, to spin a reasonably plausible murder explanation.

This is a remarkable group of entertainers that understand the importance of keeping the audience engaged during an improv. Questions and responses are collected frequently, inviting both collective response and also allowing individual members of the audience to have their own shining moments should they volunteer to do so. In fact, it was often these brave audience members that pushed the boundary of creating something unique.

True to its name and description, CSI promises originality and a truly unique experience, even for the performers themselves. With the story and decision-making outsourced to the audience, the company focusses on delivering an energetic performance, and needless to say, they had complete control over the atmosphere of the auditorium.

Creaated and performed by: Lee Apsey, Danielle Downey, James Cann, Nicola Lucey, Sarah Kempton, Steve Bond

Crime Scene Improvisation played at Wilton’s Music Hall for one night only. It will next be playing at EdFringe from 2 – 25 August, further information available here.