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Carla Mendonça Joins the 2026-27 UK and Ireland Tour Cast of Torben Betts’ Darkly Comic New Thriller

The Other Side of Murder

starring Rufus Hound and Susie Blake

Carla Mendonça – best known for Coronation Street, My Parents are Aliens and So Awkward, as well as her stage work with companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company, West Yorkshire Playhouse and Oxford Stage Company – will join the cast of The Other Side of Murder, a wickedly entertaining new comedy thriller from Torben Betts, writer of the smash-hit plays Murder at Midnight and Murder in the Dark. The co-production between Original Theatre and Theatr Clwyd, will embark on an extensive UK and Ireland tour from Autumn 2026 into Spring 2027.

Carla joins the previously announced cast, starring as Susannah alongside Rufus Hound (One Man, Two Guvnors, Wind in the Willows, The Mesmerist) as TV medium Darius Divine and Susie Blake (Victoria Wood, Coronation Street) as Miriam. Aisha Jawando (Hamilton the Musical, Tina: The Musical) plays Laura, Beth Lilly (The Play That Goes Wrong, Grantchester) plays Jen, and Andy McLeod (Murder at Midnight, Cosmic) plays Jason/understudy Darius. Completing the cast are understudies Maddy Banks, Oliver Byng and Sarah Lawn.

When celebrated TV medium Darius Divine, host of hit light-entertainment show The Other Side, plans a cosy family dinner, he expects awkward small talk. He doesn’t expect his pregnant lover, his Gilbert and Sullivan obsessed mother-in-law, or a night of ghostly visitations and explosive revelations. As dinner burns and tensions rise, the line between performance and reality begins to shatter. Secrets surface. Jealousies ignite. And a final twist lands that no one will see coming.

Funny, shocking and deliciously unsettling, this is a wild theatrical ride that will have audiences laughing one minute and gasping the next.

The Other Side of Murder is presented by the award-winning producers Original Theatre (Birdsong, ART, Being Mr Wickham) in association with Theatr Clwyd.

The creative team includes Director Philip Franks, Writer Torben Betts, Designer Colin Falconer, Lighting Designer Jason Taylor, Sound Designer and Composer Max Pappenheim, Illusion Designer John Bulleid, Casting Director Emma Sylvester and Associate Director Joshua Miles. The Production Manager is Brian Watson, the Costume Supervisor is Chrissy Maddison and the Props Supervisor is Katie Balmforth.

The Other Side of Murder play the Palace Theatre, Southend from 9-14 November 2026.

For more information, and to book tickets, visit www.southendtheatres.org.uk. Age guidance 14+

Zverev And Rybakina The King And Queen Of New York After US Open Triumphs Laced In Drama

Alexander Zverev hopes the tide is now turning in his career, as he celebrated a second Grand Slam title with victory in the US Open against Ben Shelton.

After losing his first three major showpieces, the German has now won two of the last three this year alone as he completed a 6-3 7-6 5-7 6-2 win over American Ben Shelton at Flushing Meadows. That ensured he added the US Open title to his French Open success earlier this year, with a Wimbledon final loss to Jannik Sinner lodged inbetween.

For Zverev, such was his focus that he actually didn’t realise he’d won the match. When a powerful serve was not returned he instead got ready to serve the next point, only for the news of his victory to be delivered by his jubilant team courtside.

“I thought the score was 5-1! I knew that I had broken him twice, but I thought he only held once,” Zverev said of his initial confusion after sealing the win.

“I was thinking: ‘Okay, I’m going to have a relaxed service game here and then I’ll get tight on the next one.’ “It was lucky for me! It’s actually funny, teachers in tennis say play each point and forget about the score. Well I forgot about the score and it helped me!”

On his victory as a whole, he added: “I feel like there was so much suffering for the Zverev family at Grand Slam level, that maybe 2026 is the year we should just enjoy. Everything is going perfectly. I am unbelievably happy. Three months ago if I was told you are going to win one Grand Slam in your career and nothing else, I would have signed the paper straight away and never questioned it.

“Now standing here with two Grand Slam trophies in the space of the months is incredible.”

On Saturday the attention was all on the women’s final, as Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka to win her first US Open title.

Kazakhstan’s Rybakina was already guaranteed of moving to world number one regardless of the result but she secured victory to boot, after a 6-4 5-7 6-2 win over the Belarussian.

Sabalenka was aiming for the three-peat but couldn’t find a way past a stern and determined opponent – one who entered this tournament with a serious foot complaint that had left her struggling to walk without pain.

On the injury, Rybakina said: “We arrived in New York and did an MRI. It didn’t look that great. I couldn’t even walk for the next few days without pain. I was lucky enough to have a very good doctor in Australia. She was on the phone with us all the time and somehow, with the team, we made a plan.”

That plan was certainly executed. For Rybakina, this triumph represents the third slam of her career, and she now needs just a French Open to complete her personal set.

“I was so unlucky with the injury, but I’m very proud. I still can’t believe it.”

LNER Taps Heavy Metal Veteran Robb Weir to Champion Passenger Courtesy for National Quiet Day

LNER has appointed its loudest colleague – Customer Experience Leader Robb Weir – as an advocate for turning down the volume for National Quiet Day (Monday 14 September 2026). Rock-star Robb is encouraging customers to find time for some peace and quiet, whether that be at home, in nature, or on an LNER train. Throughout the day, LNER is also giving away complimentary* hot drinks to help customers enjoy a relaxing journey.

Robb is a founding member of legendary British heavy metal rock band, The Tygers of Pan Tang and is known on stage for his loud shirts and even louder music. However, while working onboard an LNER train, he goes above and beyond to help customers enjoy a peaceful and relaxing journey.

Robb said: “I think I could certainly lay claim to being the loudest employee at LNER, at least off the train! I am very fortunate to be able to balance my two jobs, which couldn’t be more different.

“There is a time and place to make lots of noise – on stage is my time. When working on the train, however, having looked after customers for over two decades, I know many people want nothing more than a quiet, relaxing journey, and it’s my job to help provide that. All our customers need to worry about is sitting back and relaxing, perhaps with a cup of tea, a book, or plugging in their headphones and listening to a good podcast!”

The call for quiet follows research from LNER that found that talking loudly on the phone (59 per cent) and playing music out loud (53 per cent) topped the list of the ‘Top Ten Train Don’ts’. Using headphones onboard was asked of 53 per cent of respondents in a list of the ‘Top Ten Train Dos’. LNER has also been backed by leading UK charity The Noise Abatement Society whose aims include how they can solve noise problems in a pragmatic and sustainable way.

Stuart Thomas, Communications Director at LNER, said: “The LNER route stretches almost one thousand miles with many of our customers joining us for longer journeys. We want them to enjoy the best possible experience.

“On National Quiet Day, we’re encouraging people to spare an extra thought for others. As a thank you for keeping the volume down and using headphones, today we are offering customers a complimentary hot drink from our Café Bar for doing their bit to help make sure everyone’s journey is a peaceful one.”

Gloria Elliott OBE, CEO of Noise Abatement Society, said: “In our fast-paced lives, constant intrusive noise can be extremely stressful, especially when there’s no escape from it – which is why the Noise Abatement Society heartily welcomes LNER’s imaginative Quiet Day initiative encouraging rail passengers to think before they share their phone conversations, or play loud music, and to consider those around them who just want to enjoy a peaceful journey.”

*To redeem a free hot drink on Monday 14 September, simply go to the cafe bar onboard one of our trains and either show a member of LNER staff your headphones or say the words ‘National Quiet Day’.

Five-Time GRAMMY®-Winning Collective Snarky Puppy Announce UK Shows For April 2027

21 APRIL 2027 – BRITISH AIRWAYS ARC, LONDON

23 APRIL 2027 – ROYAL CONCERT HALL, GLASGOW

24 APRIL 2027 – THE HALL, AVIVA STUDIOS, MANCHESTER

Tickets On-Sale:

Friday 18 September, 9am BST

Five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning collective Snarky Puppy have announced three UK shows for April 2027.

Led by bassist and bandleader Michael League, the internationally acclaimed collective will perform at British Airways ARC, London on 21 April, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 23 April and The Hall, Aviva Studios, Manchester on 24 April, bringing one of contemporary music’s most distinctive and celebrated live shows back to UK audiences.

The dates mark Snarky Puppy’s first UK shows since 2022, when their Empire Central tour saw them perform at London’s OVO Arena Wembley, Glasgow’s O2 Academy and Manchester’s O2 Apollo.

Snarky Puppy, the five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning collective, “has always been a band that prioritizes the sound of the music,” says bandleader and bassist Michael League.

Displaying a wide array of influences including funk, rhythm & blues, hard rock, classic soul, modern gospel, new tech, fusion and jazz, Snarky Puppy isn’t exactly a jazz band, it’s not a fusion band and it’s definitely not a jam band. It’s probably best to take Nate Chinen of the New York Times’ advice, as stated in an online discussion about the group, to “take them for what they are, rather than judge them for what they’re not.”

“Our soundscape has expanded dramatically over the years” says League. “When the band started, we were jazzier, brainy and music oriented. Moving into the Dallas scene we became groovier, more emotional, deeper in a sense. We focused more on communicating a clear message, understandable to a listener without dumbing things down”.

In January 2025 the band collaborated once more with the Metropole Orkest – the Netherlands-based hybrid ensemble renowned for fusing jazz, classical, and popular music on a symphonic scale. Captured live over three nights (January 17–19, 2025) in Utrecht, the project reunited the two groups a decade after their first joint effort, Sylva — an orchestral suite released in 2015 that earned the GRAMMY® for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album the following year. The result of this collaboration – Somni – was released in November 2025 via GroundUP Music.

“It’s by far the most ambitious project we’ve ever done … and it was one of the smoothest records we’ve ever made,” he says. “Every individual team just absolutely did their job with so much care and love — from the camera operators to our production team.” That spirit was reflected in the room. “The instant feedback was the warmest we’ve ever had. It was encouraging to know that after 22 years of doing what we do, the music is reaching people.”

Always evolving in its musical output, each new record brings a new vision and progressive direction, “Our rule is that it can’t sound like it sounded before” comments League, he continues, “the music has to feel like it’s moving somewhere”

This also raises the question – where will Snarky Puppy go next? For Snarky Puppy fans, the answer to this is a very exciting prospect.

SNARKY PUPPY UK DATES

21 April 2027 British Airways ARC, London

23 April 2027 Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow

24 April 2027 The Hall, Aviva Studios, Manchester

For the tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Van Cleef & Arpels Reinterprets Iconic 1934 Ludo Bracelet with Five New High Jewelry Creations

Van Cleef & Arpels has announced the latest chapter in its iconic Ludo collection,

introducing five new High Jewelry bracelet creations that reinterpret one of the Maison’s most emblematic designs.

Originally created in 1934, the Ludo bracelet draws inspiration from the world of couture, reimagining the silhouette of a belt through an exceptionally supple gold mesh and an elegant buckle-shaped clasp.

Remaining faithful to its distinctive aesthetic while continually evolving, the collection is now enriched with five new creations that combine vibrant gemstones, coloured gold and exceptional craftsmanship.

The new designs celebrate Van Cleef & Arpels’ remarkable savoir-faire, pairing yellow, white and rose gold with carefully selected sapphires, emeralds and rubies, as well as ornamental stones including

lapis lazuli, chalcedony, chrysoprase and, for the first time, sannan skarn. Each bracelet showcases intricate briquette or honeycomb mesh, meticulously assembled link by link to achieve extraordinary flexibility and comfort.

Echoing the Maison’s rich heritage, the creations also feature the historic star-setting technique, first introduced on Ludo designs in the 1930s,

alongside hand mirror-polishing and exceptional gem-setting techniques that bring depth, brilliance and movement to each piece.

Ben Launches New Free Neurodiversity Training For Automotive Workers During National Inclusion Week

Ben, the automotive industry charity, has launched a new free online neurodiversity training programme called Embracing Neurodiversity, during National Inclusion Week.

According to Ben’s Health & Wellbeing survey, 1 in 7 automotive workers identify as neurodivergent. These workers are significantly more likely to report low mood, anxiety-related symptoms, workplace stress and difficulties managing their mental health, with comments suggesting that pressure, communication challenges and feeling misunderstood can compound existing challenges.

The training, created by Evolved Business Support, is designed to help automotive workers better understand neurodiversity and create more inclusive and supportive workplaces across the industry. The practical programme explores ADHD, autism and dyslexia, helping colleagues understand how neurodivergence can influence the way people think, communicate and experience the workplace.

The free training can be completed online at any time and is designed to provide colleagues with practical guidance they can apply in their day-to-day roles. Through real-life examples, practical advice and a simple checklist, learners will explore how small changes can make a meaningful difference to colleagues, customers and teams.

To access the free training, visit https://ben.org.uk/how-we-help/for-my-business/free-training/free-neurodiversity-training.

Training tailored to different parts of the business
Recognising that people work in a variety of environments and roles, the Embracing Neurodiversity training programme has been developed for three different areas of the industry:

Office: supporting colleagues working in office-based environments to build understanding and create more inclusive day-to-day interactions.
Production: focusing on practical ways to support inclusion within production environments and teams.
Retail: exploring neurodiversity in the context of colleagues, customers and the retail environment.

This new training launch forms part of Ben’s vision of an automotive family that thinks well, feels well, lives well and, in turn, is able to work well. A key focus for Ben is also on helping create an industry in which people can better understand and support one another, while recognising and valuing different ways of thinking, communicating and experiencing the world.

Julie Hayes, Specialist Services Lead at Ben, said: “We want our automotive family to feel confident in understanding and embracing neurodiversity, as we’re all unique. This training gives people working in different parts of the industry practical knowledge about neurodivergence that they can use in their everyday lives and roles. The training also shows that creating a more inclusive workplace doesn’t always require big changes, it can often be small adjustments and greater understanding that make a real difference. Anyone can sign up to take part in our new training at a time to suit them, it’s very flexible. We hope you’ll find it useful!”

The neurodiversity training is now available through Ben Training, with individuals encouraged to complete the pathway relevant to their area of work. To find out more about Ben Training, visit www.ben.org.uk/training.

£1.1bn Global Commitment Underlines UK Commercial Vehicle Opportunity

More than a billion pounds have been committed to Britain’s van, truck and bus manufacturing industry and supply chains over the past five years, according to new analysis by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), underlining the sector’s growing role in the global transition to zero-emission transport.

The £1.1 billion committed since 2021 builds on the UK’s diverse commercial vehicle capability, with more than 30 different models and conversions already being built or planned for production – from low-emission vehicles to cutting-edge electric and hydrogen options, plus thousands of advanced components. The analysis also shows the size and breadth of the sector’s footprint spans all UK regions, making it strategically important to Britain’s regional growth agenda, with more than a third of SMMT members active in CV production or its supply chain.

The world’s confidence in the UK commercial vehicle sector and its opportunities is already evident, with businesses from more than 20 different countries – including Europe and the Middle East, the US, Japan, China and India – running manufacturing, R&D, supply or services operations in the UK. Global collaboration can help drive further UK growth, and new partnerships are being supported by the UK government’s £4.5 billion DRIVE35 programme, with 42 zero emission vehicle (ZEV) and supply chain projects that are capable of benefitting the commercial vehicle sector receiving backing so far.

Britain’s global interest is complemented by global reach. UK trade deals cover some 100 countries and markets, including the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, recent membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and new deals with the US, India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). More than half of British-built commercial vehicles are exported, with around nine in 10 going to Europe.

The UK’s CV sector is increasingly a driver of road transport decarbonisation. More than half (18) of all commercial vehicles in or planned for UK production are ZEVs, supported by a supply chain producing batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, semiconductors, electric drive units, magnets, storage systems and more. Meanwhile, the UK’s energy grid mix – where in 2025, more than 40% of electricity was generated from renewables – means that British-built EVs can have lower embedded carbon than those made in many other major manufacturing nations.

The domestic vehicle market offers strong growth potential, given the UK is Europe’s second largest market for both vans and HGVs at 315,422 and 40,504 units respectively in 2025. Britain is also Europe’s biggest zero emission bus market, at 2,508 registrations last year alone, exceeding a quarter (27.1%) of all demand. Industry innovation has driven market decarbonisation, with more than 80 different zero emission van, truck and bus models available in the UK, with fleet uptake also supported by government incentives and infrastructure investment worth more than £1.7 billion to date.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The shift to zero emission road transport is creating new opportunities across the global commercial vehicle industry, from vehicle manufacturing and engineering to supply chains and advanced technologies. The UK’s strength lies in its combination of industrial capability, innovation, skilled people and international partnerships. With investment already flowing and demand rising for next-generation vans, trucks and buses, the sector is well placed to help shape the future of sustainable mobility.“

British and global businesses based in the UK are today exhibiting at IAA Transportation Hannover, Europe’s largest trade show for the van, HGV and bus sectors, taking place from 14-16 September. The event is an invaluable opportunity to showcase Britain’s innovation ecosystem and create new partnership opportunities. For more information, visit the event page here.

‘I Don’t Have The Answer’ – Conor Benn Unsure Of Next Step After Brutal Ryan Garcia Defeat

Conor Benn admits he’s unsure of what is next in store for him, following his brutal world title defeat to Ryan Garcia at the weekend.

Benn was stopped in just the second round in Las Vegas, as Garcia easily defended his WBC welterweight title. Benn, in at welterweight for the first time in four years, was no match for Garcia who dominated for the short period the fight lasted.

Garcia dropped the Brit in the second round and although he recovered sufficiently to beat the count, the fight didn’t last much longer after another onslaught by the American. Benn did not conduct post-match interviews, instead going to hospital for precautionary checks after a sobering night.

He later took to social media, saying: “Everybody keeps asking ‘what’s next for Conor Benn? The truth is, I don’t have the answer. I’ve always wanted to be a servant of the public and give everything I have when it matters.

“But giving everything comes at a cost. And the people who have paid that cost more than anyone are my family and my kids. They’ve sacrificed time with their dad so I could chase this dream. They’ve had to share me with this sport their entire lives.

“So when people ask me what’s next for Conor Benn, right now the answer is simple. Time with my kids.”

Many have speculated that a trilogy fight with Chris Eubank Junior – and a move back to middleweight – could now be on the cards.

Eubank Jr was quick to rub salt in the wounds after Benn’s latest setback, tweeting: “Welcome to the ’fighting after cutting too much weight’ club… Enjoy.”

Scania Unveils Long-Haul Electric Truck Configuration with 720km Range at IAA Transportation

Scania has revealed its solution to overcome range anxiety for electric long-haul transportation at IAA Transportation show in Hannover, Germany.

Customers are now able to configure a Scania battery electric truck with a range of up to 720km – the same distance as travelling from London to Hull and back on one charge.

By combining megawatt charging, chassis mounted battery options and under cab options with the new behind the cab battery option, it’s the first-time customers can opt for an extended electric range while retaining the operational flexibility needed for long-haul European transportation.