All this month we are having a weekly conversation with the improviser Lee Aspey. If you have not heard of Lee you would of definitely of heard of the groups that he is a part of – CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation and Your Flaws The Musical – both these two shows are proving to be a success at comedy festivals over and over again. Today we discuss festivals, musical shows and rapping…

You took your show Your Flaws: The Musical to the Brighton Fringe this year – how did it go?

 It was fantastic. Caravanserai brought in an incredible festival compound, something Brighton really missed last year, and knocked it out of the park. We had a lovely venue with the audience semi-circled around us in a tight bowl, which is my favourite set up for getting a room connected. We got two very kind reviews that, more than just liking the show, seemed to really get what we’re trying to do and that’s very satisfying.

What is the show about?

Resonance. Carl R Rogers said that “What is most personal is most universal.” We ask audience members to share a personal flaw, something honest and very specific and they’re usually surprised by how many people in the crowd relate to it. One show had 5 secret stutterers come out to each other. And then we explore a soup of those “flaws” through the greatest medium ever created: musical mover lovin’ theatre. It’s sincere and silly and usually both darky comic and oddly uplifting. Bonus: my 36 years of being a deeply flawed person are now reclassified as research.

Will there be any more chances to see it live anytime soon?

We really need to get on to booking more shows! I’m touring with different shows for the next few months but we’ll be back in mid-September. If you have a venue please contact me before I hassle you.

“…We ask audience members to share a personal flaw, something honest and very specific and they’re usually surprised by how many people in the crowd relate to it...”

Lee Apsey

You are part of the freestyle rap Slice of Rhyme as well  that must be fun!

 Rapping without a plan is the escalated kick of flow state a lot of people get when they first try improv and then rediscover when they try musical improv. It’s been one of the necessary components for holding my head together and I recommend everyone do it at least once a day. Also, forming a loosely organised freestyle rap collective and then touring the world pushing yourself on tech, show formats and lyricism is a wonderful way to spend a life.

You are going to festivals with that as well aren’t you?

 We’re performing the next pokemon evolution of the show at the Reykjavík Fringe in late June/early July and then off to Sweden for at least the Gothenburg Fringe in September.

“…We had a lovely venue with the audience semi-circled around us in a tight bowl, which is my favourite set up for getting a room connected...”

Lee Apsey

Are you heading to Edinburgh Fringe this year? If so what can people see you in?

 I’ll be up there the whole month so come say hi/invite me to see and be in shows. Primarily I’ll be performing in CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation every day at Underbelly, Bristo Square, 3.10pm.

What has been some of the best advice you have been given about improv?

“Dare to be Lovely” and “You are enough” from Dave Razowsky

“Sit in the s***” from Sophie Pumphrey

“If you want to be interesting, be interested” from Ali James 

If people want to find out more where do they visit?

@leeapsey on most social media (and www.leeapsey.com)

@asimilarriver is the umbrella brand I’m supposed to be promoting.

Various shows: @crimesceneimpro, @yourflawsshow, @sliceofrhymelive