Killer Couples With Emma Kenny At Lighthouse Poole Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Mel S-W
Calling all True Crime fans!
If, like me, you’re obsessed with all things true crime, then this show is an absolute must. Emma Kenny delivered a compelling and effortless dive into the dark world of Killer Couples. Following the success of her Serial Killer Next Door tour, she returned to form for this one-night-only event — and she did not disappoint.
This time, Emma turned her spotlight on those who kill together: couples bound by love, necessity, or something far more sinister. As someone who’s studied criminal law, I’m endlessly fascinated by what drives people to commit such crimes — and true crime podcasts are my go-to. I hadn’t listened to many of Emma’s episodes before, so aside from a bit of pre-show research, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Walking into the theatre and seeing a lectern and projector screen, I worried it might feel like a lecture. But I was pleasantly surprised — it was gripping from start to finish. I’d highly recommend it to any fellow true crime enthusiast. The Lighthouse continues to impress with its diverse programming and reasonable ticket pricing.
Killer Couples plunged us into the twisted dynamics of duos drawn together by circumstance or something more magnetic. Emma used photos, interrogation footage, and even videos of victims before their deaths to heighten the chilling atmosphere. She categorised different types of killers and explored the traits that might lead someone down such a dark path — whether shaped by experience or born that way. A small suggestion: it would’ve been helpful to include the names of lesser-known killers on the slides for those keen to research further.
I was thrilled to see Fred and Rosemary West, Lori and Chad Daybell, and Myra Hindley featured — especially Emma’s take on the myths surrounding Hindley and her insights into the gender gap among female perpetrators.
Emma Kenny — psychologist, TV presenter, writer, and media commentator — is now recognised as one of the UK’s leading psychological experts. Her podcast Bang To Rights dissects cases from around the globe. While she’s not yet one of my regular listens, I’m definitely open to being converted!
The audience was clearly delighted to see her take the stage. It was a mixed crowd, mostly female, with plenty of die-hard fans sporting merch and clutching books. One small gripe: the steady stream of people heading to the bar mid-show was distracting. Perhaps they’re used to pausing Emma’s podcast at home for a drink break — but this was a theatre, not a living room. It didn’t affect my overall experience, but I do wish the bar had been closed during the performance.
The show was in-depth, engaging, and expertly delivered. Emma’s natural charisma, wit, and occasional humour made even the darkest content compelling.
Rating: 4/5
This show was for one night only and ticket prices started from £27.50. Find out what’s on at Lighthouse https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/whats-on/ or call the Box Office on 01202 280000
The full address is Lighthouse, Arts and Entertainment, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG