If you’re a true crime enthusiast like me, the idea of attending a live murder trial experience probably had you buzzing with excitement. That’s exactly how I felt when I first heard about Murder Trial Live. The event promised an immersive experience where attendees could play the role of jurors, witness gripping courtroom drama, and decide the verdict of a murder case. Sounds thrilling, right? Unfortunately, the reality was far less captivating.
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my honest review of Murder Trial Live, detailing the many reasons why I wouldn’t recommend it. From overpriced tickets and disappointing seating to false advertising and poor event execution, there’s a lot to unpack. If you’re contemplating whether to attend this event, read on for an honest account of my experience.
Please note I paid for these tickets myself and this is not in any way sponsored by the company!
Expectations vs. Actual Experience
The promotional materials for Murder Trial Live painted a vivid picture of an exciting afternoon or evening filled with suspense and intrigue. They have both matinee sessions and evening sessions. We chose the matinee as it is significantly cheaper and we were glad we did.
From the moment we arrived, it was clear that the event was more concerned with making a quick buck than delivering a quality experience. Here are some of the key disappointments we experienced. Having looked at Trip Adviser we have also seen that we are not alone!
The below screenshot shows the seats we bought and the layout advertised. As you can see it is nothing like we were advertised!
The Overpriced Entry and Car Park
The car parking fee was £15, and there were no alternative options to get to the venue due to it being on a main road too far to walk from anywhere else and that cars can not safely stop on to drop off. This added expense felt like a money grab and definitely set a negative tone for the day out right from the start.
If this wasn’t all bad enough, immediately after I purchased the three tickets for myself and two friends I received an email offering extra tickets for 30% off. How unbelievable is that? Then closer to the event tickets became half price. It honestly felt like we would have Lord Sugar walking in at any point and something run by The Apprentice candidates rather than an actual business!
Misleading Ticketing Information
We opted for what were advertised as “the best seats” in the house, only to discover that these premium seats were no better than the cheaper options. In fact, some of the lower-cost seats offered a better view of the “court”. It’s infuriating to spend extra money for a supposed upgrade, only to realise that you’ve been misled. Our view is shown below and frankly was very disappointing.
Our seats were where this photo was taken from (however standing up – the view was as above when sitting down!). The people you see near the door at the right of the picture will have paid less than half of what we paid and have a front view of the show, we had a poor side view!
First things first, the cost of attending Murder Trial Live was already expensive. We paid £71 for “best view” seats (since reduced in price – more about that later) on a Sunday Afternoon, tickets in the same place on an evening were around £95!
False Advertising on Food Options
One of the selling points for Murder Trial Live was the promise of vendors of street food. We had booked to attend 12-4pm so knew we would need to eat lunch there. However, this turned out to be untrue both at our venue and all others according to reviews. Instead the only options were nachos, popcorn, and crisps—all at inflated prices. For example, a single packet of crisps cost £2.50! There was also an option of pre-ordering a “high tea” for £25 which we didn’t do. Looking at what people received we are glad we didn’t, check out Trip Advisor for some pictures of that! Food was served in a tray on knees!
Ridiculously Expensive Drinks
The drinks were equally overpriced, further adding to the frustration. It’s one thing to pay a premium for a unique experience, but when every aspect of the event feels designed to squeeze every last penny out of you, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
No Outside Food or Drinks Allowed
To make matters worse, attendees were not allowed to bring their own food or drinks. The event organisers even encouraged people to report anyone they saw consuming outside food or drinks in exchange for free drinks all night. This policy felt invasive and petty, creating an unpleasant atmosphere of policing among guests. Equally stating it is illegal to take food or drinks to the event is simply untrue, there is no law that governs this at all.
The below leaflet was placed on each table!
Uncomfortable Seating
The seating at Murder Trial Live was another major disappointment. The chairs were uncomfortable, making it difficult to enjoy the performance. For an event that lasts several hours, comfortable seating is essential, and this was sorely lacking. Luckily we had seen reviews and took cushions with us which made it a little more bearable, that said, we shouldn’t have had to!
Despite paying extra for the so-called best seats, the view of the stage was terrible. The layout of the venue meant that many attendees struggled to see the action, further detracting from the overall experience. It’s hard to feel immersed in a murder trial when you’re craning your neck to catch a glimpse of the actors and the screens showing evidence are out of your view too.
Questionable Review Practices
One of the most concerning aspects of Murder Trial Live was the way the organisers solicited reviews. Attendees were asked to leave positive reviews before the show even started, with the incentive of being entered into a draw to win champagne. This practice raises serious doubts about the authenticity of the glowing TripAdvisor reviews and leaves only the many negative reviews being ones I would recommend trusting and undermines the credibility of the event.
By encouraging people to leave reviews before experiencing the event using the QR code in the leaflet above, the organisers effectively manipulate the feedback, ensuring that any negative experiences are less likely to be reflected in the overall rating. This deceptive tactic is a red flag and had I known this before I am not sure I would have not booked tickets.
The Performance Itself
Credit where credit is due—the actors did a commendable job with the material they were given. Their performances were engaging and believable. However, the overall execution of the event left much to be desired.
Plot Holes and Confusion
The murder case presented at Murder Trial Live was riddled with plot holes and inconsistencies. Key details were either glossed over or entirely omitted, making it difficult to follow the story and reach a well-informed verdict. For example, there was no clear motive for the crime mentioned, and the cause of death for one of the victims was left unexplained. This lack of coherence made the experience at times more frustrating than enjoyable.
Lack of Immersion
The biggest selling point of Murder Trial Live was the promise of an immersive experience. Unfortunately, the poor execution, combined with the various logistical issues, made it impossible to fully immerse yourself in the event. Instead of feeling like a juror in a high-stakes murder trial, I felt like a spectator at a poorly-organised amateur dramatics performance.
Misleading Marketing
The marketing for Murder Trial Live promised an unforgettable evening of suspense and intrigue. In reality, the event failed to deliver on almost every front. From the food and drink options to the uncomfortable seating and poorly-executed plot, it was clear that the organisers had prioritised profit over quality.
The discrepancy between the advertised experience and the reality of the event left me feeling deceived. It’s one thing for an event to fall short of expectations, but the level of false advertising involved in promoting Murder Trial Live was unbelievable.
People buying tickets deserve better than this. I paid on my credit card for the tickets and whilst the organisers refuse any refund even despite them not providing the promised street food vendors and “best view” as well as the other issues I have shared I have asked my credit card company to look at a possible chargeback/refund.
Conclusion
If you’re considering attending Murder Trial Live, my advice is simple—don’t waste your time or money. The event is overpriced, poorly organised, and fails to deliver on its promises. From the misleading ticketing information and overpriced food and drinks to the uncomfortable seating and questionable review practices, there are countless reasons to give this event a miss.
In my opinion, don’t let the fact the BBC have previously mentioned it give you any confidence and pay no attention to the good reviews on Trip Advisor as these are incentivised and consider if you would be happy to sit on these seats for 4 hours, pay over the odds for something which is mediocre at best and then pay extra to simply attend the event and decide if you can afford that. I personally would recommend choosing something good at the theatre or local arena instead! We paid not much more for amazing tickets for Peter Kay and less than half the price for 3rd row Sarah Millican tickets, there is simply no comparison!
