True crime stage show with live psychopath test coming to Rochdale this November

Thursday, 30 October 2025 14:34

By David Murphy

Rochdale true crime fans are being invited to test their own inner darkness as a nationwide live show exploring staged murders arrives in town next month.

A new true crime event, Murder: Staged, will appear at the Empire Rochdale on Thursday 6 November 2025 at 7.30pm. The two-hour evening will be hosted by BBC-featured forensic psychology researcher and psychopathy expert Cheish Merryweather, who will guide audiences through real-life crime scenes, forensic reconstructions, and psychological tests.

Promising a night of chilling insight and audience participation, the show focuses on so-called “forensically aware” killers, criminals who attempt to manipulate or mislead investigators.

Cheish Merryweather said: “The 'CSI effect' has created a new type of killer, one that is forensically aware and is out to mislead an investigation. Murder: Staged will explore the lies embedded in crime scenes and share the expertise from those who dig deep for the truth.”

A key highlight of the event will be a live audience psychopath test, designed to gauge traits linked with psychopathy. The results will be anonymous but may offer a tongue-in-cheek glimpse into who, if anyone, among the Rochdale audience might fit the profile.

Previous shows have sold out across the country, with this new tour promising in-depth analysis of infamous cases and insight into modern criminal behaviour.

Cheish added: “So far, I’ve tested the levels of psychopathy in many different UK cities. Will Rochdale be the most psychopathic town in the UK? (But it’s not a competition – haha!)”

The event is strictly recommended for those aged 16 and over. Tickets are available via the venue’s official box office.

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