A live show examining what exactly makes someone a serial killer is coming to Leeds this October, bringing all those true crime documentaries you watched during lockdown to life in a live theatre experience.
Hosted by one of the UK’s most notable psychological therapists and crime commentators, Emma Kenny, the three-hour show will give guests a unique insight into the mind of a serial killer.
Kenny specialises in victimology and is known in the media for presenting a host of TV crime shows, including the likes of Britain’s Darkest Taboos, Lady Killers, and The Killer in My Family.
Throughout her career to date she has presented over seventy different crime shows, analysing some truly horrific crimes along the way that have occurred both here in the UK and across the pond in the US.
Emma Kenny specialises in victimology and has presented over seventy shows on crime during her career
In the talk, she explores what makes a killer and explains why some people can be born into a seemingly normal, trauma-free family and still end up becoming a murderer.
Whilst might want to believe that we'd know if we were to come face to face with a serial murderer, according to Kenny they are much harder to spot than you might think.
For those who have spent the majority of lockdown on their sofa watching every true-crime documentary on Netflix, this won't come as so much of a surprise.
After all, some of the world's most notorious serial killers got away with what they were doing for so long simply because they came across as so 'normal.' The sad truth is that anyone can fall foul of a serial killer - as history has shown many times.
Throughout the show, Emma Kenny will answer questions like "what creates a serial killer" and "could anything have prevented their potential from being activated, or were they simply born to kill?"
She'll also analyse some famous crimes including those of Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Paul Knowles - examining what led them to their actions and if anything could've been done to prevent them.
Image: Netflix
The description on the event listing reads: "Maybe you simply accept that lift home, or agree to have dinner with your internet hook up, or find yourself taking a shortcut with the clean-cut, nice guy who started chatting to you whilst you strolled home?
"Then it's game over, because rare though they may be, serial killers live amongst us, move between us, are even married to us, and only by studying their behaviour, can we adapt ours to give us a fighting chance of survival should they sliver into our lives
"We all want to believe that we would know if we came into contact with a serial killer, that somehow our natural intuition would raise our physical hackles that would alert us to the very real threat around us.
"That myth, that we could somehow sniff out the angel of death is sadly why the term ‘serial killer’ was coined.
"Their body count is so high,because we all like to imagine that finding ourselves at the hands of a tortuous murderer simply wouldn’t happen to us."
Taking place at Left Bank in Leeds on Thursday 12 October from 7.30 pm, tickets for the show are on sale now from £19 and can be purchased here.
News
Plans for Leeds Kirkgate Market ‘container village’, STACK, take huge step forward
A planning application has been submitted for a ‘container village’ attraction at Leeds Kirkgate Market.
It was submitted today, Friday 27 March, by STACK Leisure - a company that already runs popular food, drink and entertainment hubs in Lincoln, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland.
The proposed STACK Leeds venue would be a two-storey structure made up of repurposed shipping containers, located in Leeds Kirkgate Market’s outdoor trading area.
It would feature six bars, eight street food outlets, a coffee shop, a large stage for live entertainment and giant digital screens.
The development is expected to increase footfall and broaden the customer base across the market and would also benefit the wider city centre and its existing hospitality businesses.
Neill Winch, chief executive of STACK Leisure, said: “We know from our previous experience that once STACK opens it brings huge economic benefits to the wider area.
“It will turn a spotlight on the Leeds Kirkgate Market area and bring in greatly increased footfall, not just to STACK Leeds but to both the indoor and outdoor market. One of the many reasons we are successful is because we offer something for everyone – we are family friendly, pet friendly and our entertainment programme is designed to have widespread appeal.
“It is important for us to become part of the local community and celebrate it, while supporting independent businesses at the same time. We firmly believe that STACK Leeds will be a huge asset to the city and we look forward to moving on with the scheme.”
Kikgate Market’s outdoor trading area currently has room for a total of 185 stalls, with around 85 of those being filled.
Should STACK Leeds secure planning approval, the number of pitches would be reduced and the freed-up space used as the location for the scheme.
Leeds Festival announces second wave of artists including Skepta b2b set
Thomas Melia
One of West Yorkshire's biggest live music events , Leeds Festival, has announced its second wave of artists including a Skepta DJ set.
Back in December, Leeds Festival announced some impressive acts would be headlining like Fontaines D.C., Florence and the Machine, Charli xcx, Raye, Dave, and Chase & Status.
Leeds Festival 2026 also marks the first time this live music extended-weekender will have a Thursday night headliner courtesy of rock band Kasabian.
Alongside the stellar headliners, this year's line-up also sees Skepta, Sombr, Skye Newman, Role Model, Kneecap and more major acts performing next August.
Leeds Festival 2026 announces second wave of artists with over 60 new names / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Now, Leeds Festival has dropped its second wave of artists with over 60 names that are just as hard-hitting and extraordinary as the previously mentioned music moguls.
Headliner RAYE is making her Leeds Festival headline slot a family affair by bringing along her amazing sisters along for the ride too as Amma and Absolutely are now playing sets.
Violet Grohl, the eldest daughter of Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl, is making her first ever festival appearance and bringing her alternative-indie sound to Leeds.
Skepta announced for a b2b set and Violet Grohl makes festival performance debut / Credit: @henrygoodfell0w / Press Shot via supplied
Get ready for Cruz Beckham and The Breakers to step out for a set like no other too, as they prepare a performance all 'for your love' and attention.
There's even a brand-new stage titled The Warehouse which will act as the home for all things dance music, with exclusive b2b sets, DJ performances and a club-like experience.
The acts taking to this stage include Skepta b2b with East End Dubs, Omar +, Bou, Hedex, Rossi, Mall Grab and lots more.
More artists ready to wow the Bramham Park crowd include Arthur Hill, The Lathums, Duke Dumont, Slayyyter, The K's, Paris Paloma, Holly Humberstone and more.
Leeds Festival is taking place from 27 August to 30 August at Bramham Park and to find a full line-up HERE.
If you're after getting your hands on tickets for one of West Yorkshire's biggest festivals when it returns this August, you can do so HERE.