CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation at Wilton’s Music Hall Review
Nicola Lucey, Lee Apsey and Sarah Kempton in CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation. Photo by Andrew AB
Written by Cathie for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
For one night only at Wilton’s Music Hall lies the fabulous crime-busting team of CSI Improvisation. It’s a tale so fresh that even the cast themselves don’t know what the case is. The entire initial murder case is chosen based on the audience’s suggestions, who operate as “Sargent Derrick” to help solve the murder. In this case, we had the murder of Clive Cabbage, a tour guide at the National History Museum, who was murdered by a projectile potato.
The night of this show had the cast of Steve Bond, Sarah Kempton, Nicola Lucey, Michael Kunze, James Cann, and Kayleigh Cassidy. Their seamless comedic chemistry and support for each other were sincere and truly wonderful to watch on stage. The level of jokes and camaraderie was incredible and made the evening a fabulous night out.
Without spoiling the whole plot, there are the traditional romantic affairs, work tensions, and subterfuge with hidden red herrings and strange characters abounding in the Natural History Museum. We see plenty of classic ideas, but presented in a fresh and highly interesting format that keeps the audience highly engaged. As the plot unfurls, we have a halfway point where the cast pause and recap the plot and key suspects/ witnesses, and evidence found. The cast also gives the opportunity as the investigators to explore the evidence and “tests held”. In the final 20 minutes, we get the opportunity to ask questions to work out which suspect was the murderer and see the final evidence and the murderer’s monologue in a successful conclusion for the case.
At one hour of running time, it is perfectly paced, much like the original shows, and balances opportunities for hilarious skits by the cast while maintaining a steady pace. The audience was electric and highly engaged throughout the performance, which also helped keep the plot intense and moving quickly toward its inevitable twist ending.
This show is a complete joy to watch and a truly inspired homage to the CSI genre and series, which dominated the 2000’s. It is one of the most well-structured improvisation-based shows on the theatre circuit and is one with such a variety that you could watch it a dozen times before becoming tired. This is truly a fantastic evening and enormous fun for all involved. If you enjoy crime shows, whodunnits, comedy improv, and a truly fantastic show that you will talk about for years to come, then this is the show for you.
CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation played at Wilton’s Music Hall on the 4 July ahead of a Edinburgh Festival Fringe run at the Ermintrude at Underbelly, Bristo Square from 1-17 August.
★★★★★
