This month I will be talking to different acts that are taking part in the Brighton Fringe Festival. Today I speak to Lee Apsey about crime and improv..

Location: Komedia Studio
Date: 3rd June
Time: 16:00
Ticket Price: £12 Concession £10
Link:  https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/csi-crime-scene-improvisation/

Hello! Tell us about your act ? 

Hi! CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation is the (now award-winning) murder mystery where no one knows who the killer is: not even the cast!

How did you come up with the name of your show that you are taking to the Brighton fringe?

We lucked out that “Investigation” and “Improvisation” sound alike.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

We use improv to give the audience the fullest meal the medium can contain: they create the absurd crime of their dreams, we launch into the investigation and aftermath with more love and detail than a sensible person would expect, we give the audience the opportunity to interrogate suspects with any questions they want and ultimately, in the climactic final scene, the audience decides who the killer is and always has been.

That unplanned confession brings everything together: ultimately tying the audience’s final choice (them!), through the exploration of the past hour and back to the very first ideas they gave us in a satisfying circle.

What can people expect from your Brighton Fringe performance?

To be surprised all over again: we’re still refining the show 9 years in and excited to be debuting at 2 new venues for us: Caravanserai and Komedia!

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

I try to wonder in to shows without a plan and be open to discovering something I never knew I could like. But also definitely seeing Bad Luck Cabaret, all the improv, and friend of the show Jayda Fogel’s Talk Radio. (*cough* self-plug for my own Your Flaws: The Musical and Sarah Kempton’s innovative traitor gameshow Sabotage *cough*)

How are the rehearsals going?

 We’re in our 9th year now and recently added some amazing new players, Kelsey Yuhara and Izzy Glinn, so it’s a perfect blend of classic CSI polishing and exciting fresh ideas.

Have you done the fringe before? What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?

We’ve been fringing for close to a decade now, including selling out at the Brighton Fringe every year since 2015. My favourite ever Brighton show has to be the entire cast watching Danielle Downey play out an entire disaster at a water park by herself: it was 5 minutes of the most energetic and emotionally invested one woman except there was no script, or props, and at least 5 different marine mammals were being mimed with rich character back stories.

What advice would you give to others who want to perform at Brighton Fringe next year?

 Everyone is really helpful so don’t be afraid to ask. Your strongest advert is a good poster in venues where audiences are already seeing Fringe shows like yours. Also go for a swim and wear sun screen.

What is the best thing about performing at the Brighton fringe?

 That it’s unapologetically “Brighton.”

What are your three favourite things about Brighton?

 The high percentage of rainbows to buildings. The therapeutically cold ocean. You are never more than 20 feet from an interesting lamp.

Leafleting and promotion through the streets of Brighton is a huge part of the festival – what are your tips for flyering?

 Do it your way. Especially if you’re flyering for your own show where you essentially are the product. If you’re comfortable approaching groups and having lots of quick upbeat chats is fabulous. I’m more comfortable being very visible and quite loud so folks can choose to come to me.

Tell us about your average day on a festival show run?

I live in London but use the excuse to take a mini-holiday in Brighton so I get up late. Do some advertising. Swim in the ocean. Eat at Pret. Meet the cast for a plenty long warm up. Do the show. Then enjoy the sun and hang out in a garden whilst we google what shows we can stumble into.

Performing by the sea as well, that surely makes the fringe all that much more fun?

You can’t worry about the past or the future for at least the first 3 minutes of swimming in it. Highly recommended.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Kenjiro Tsuda.

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

@crimesceneimpro

And Finally finish this sentence – ‘you should see our show at Brighton Fringe because….

You deserve it.