Murder for Two is a breathtaking, madcap romp that will leave you struggling to keep up as an astonishing pair of actors take silliness to a whole new brilliantly barmy level.

Lucy Keirl and Tom Babbage in Murder for Two (Picture: Tony Bartholomew)

The Octagon really does need to install seatbelts for this production where the humour is so rapid, the switch from one character to another is like lightning and where the audience is clinging on for dear life.

This is a real runaway train of a show which relies on the magnificent Lucy Keirl and Tom Babbage to prevent it from running into the buffers.

Originally written as a murder mystery, this production offers an added twist to the award-winning show.

Set in a BBC radio studio in 1959, the scheduled programme has been cancelled at the last minute and the two studio technicians bring to life a musical murder mystery as a last minute replacement.

Somehow it manages to send up just about every genre you can think of from film noir and the Hollywood musical to the golden age of radio.

A leading literary figure is shot dead at home just before his birthday party. A hapless wannabe detective arrives on the scene to be confronted by an eccentric line-up of party guests who all appear to have a motive. Poirot and Marple never had to deal with anything like this that’s for sure.

The Octagon’s ‘in the round’ setting is perfect for this production with props galore turning the radio studio into the murder victim’s home.

Tom Babbage plays Marcus the beat cop with ambitions, aided by an invisible assistant (obviously). He’s the fulcrum around which the whirlwind that is Lucy Keirl revolves.

Lucy Keirl in Murder for Two (Picture: Tony Bartholomew)

It’s unlikely you will ever see another performer work as hard as she does during this play flipping from one character to another in an instant. There’s a French ballerina, a German psychologist, a couple who constantly row, a widow who dreams of Broadway stardom, an innocent girl with a passion for criminology, three surviving members of a boys’ choir (you don’t want to know what happened to the others) and a slightly deranged fireman. I suspect I’ve missed some off the list but you get the gist.

There are no costume changes, new characters are introduced simply by a new accent – some of which are deliberately and hilariously bad -and an immediate change of stance. It’s such a physical performance as she constantly changes posture to seemlessly move from one of this motley crew to another.

In lesser hands this show could become a total car crash. It is so frenetic, so surreal at times and so plain daft at others, the audience could be left wondering what on earth they had come to.

But this inspired duo pull it off remarkably. It may look to be on the verge of spiralling out of control but you know they are in total command.

There is a discipline and precision that you can only sit back and admire.

They interact with the audience, some of the gags are spontaneous and they have licence to improvise which they both seize on with gusto. And they are clearly having just as much fun on the stage as the audience is having in watching them.

Lucy Keirl and Tom Babbage in Murder for Two (Picture: Tony Bartholomew)

As if all the total nonsense wasn’t enough, the show is also a musical with a grand piano taking centre stage. Both actors are consummate players, often at the keyboard at the same time, and the comedy songs and their antics around the piano are one of the joys of the show.

There are elements of the great silent comedies, with Tom Babbage’s facial expressions worthy of any of the great clowns. There is slapstick, sound effects galore and rubber chickens – it’s just not like any other play.

Murder for Two is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Be warned it is a celebration of daftness; it is silly, it is anarchic and even has elements of pantomime thrown in.

Subtle it is not. Logical it is certainly not. But what a hoot! It is inspired lunacy from two comedy actors who surely deserve some sort of recognition for their efforts.

Murder for Two runs until Saturday, June 27. Details from www.octagonbolton.co.uk

England, meanwhile, face Costa Rica at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, in their final warm-up match today. That should include the four late-arriving Arsenal stars, before the squad fly out to their World Cup base in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 13. You can follow all the latest news and updates from across the tournament – including insight and analysis from Dom Smith in the States – with our rolling news live blog below!

The beautifully-crafted work of art can be seen in the Merchant Adventurers Hall on Fossgate, bringing together royal history, British heritage, and Yorkshire pride.

The piece was designed to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III while also honouring the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Historic York hall’s new stained glass honours King Charles III and the late Queen Elizabeth II. (Image: Merchant Adventurers)

The new window tells a story that bridges past and present, serving as both a tribute and a celebration. It captures a significant moment in the nation’s history and reflects the continuity of the Crown through two historic reigns.

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Beyond its royal connections, the design showcases the rich diversity of Britain’s natural world. Intricate stained-glass details celebrate native flora and fauna, weaving together elements that reflect the beauty and character of the British landscape.

Merchant Adventurers Hall in York. (Image: Submitted)

Visitors with a keen eye will also discover a number of distinctly Yorkshire touches incorporated into the artwork, including a tribute to York’s famous Tansy Beetle, a rare and much-loved local species.

The window has been brought to life by the York Glaziers Trust, renowned for their expertise in traditional stained-glass conservation and creation. The team has meticulously crafted each element of the design, ensuring a work of exceptional quality and lasting significance.

The window features a tribute to York’s famous Tansy Beetle, a rare and much-loved local species. (Image: Merchant Adventurers)

Dr Marie Groll, director of York Glaziers Trust, said: “The York Glaziers Trust has been privileged to work with colleagues at the Merchant Adventurers Hall on this new window, which is a celebration of nature and of the monarchy.

“Our in-house stained glass designer Anna Milsom has used as her inspiration the flora and fauna found in the gardens surrounding the Hall, bringing the outside in. We hope there is much hidden in the window to delight visitors to the Hall.”

The design of the new window features the diversity of Britain’s natural world. (Image: Merchant Adventurers)

The Governor of the Merchant Adventurers Hall, Professor Sarah Brown, said she was delighted with this addition during her year of office.

“The artistry and craft of the stained-glass artist has changed little since the Hall was built in the middle of the fourteenth century.

“Stained glass remains at the heart of the heritage and culture of the city of York and it is a very fitting medium in which to pay tribute to the late Queen and the accession of His Majesty the King in a building which remains central to the celebration and promotion of business, enterprise and creative entrepreneurship.

“This sensitive evocation of the garden in which the Hall sits will bring pleasure and delight to our members and our visitors alike.”

The window will provide a lasting legacy within the Hall, enriching the historic building while commemorating a defining chapter in modern British history.

From June 25 until September 1, the cost of all day wristbands will be reduced and children’s meals at all the food outlets, including the popular Monterey Jack’s diner, will also be reduced.

Families and visitors can take advantage of lots of free entertainment this summer at M&D’s and to top it all the attraction is lowering its prices following the UK Government’s temporary VAT reprieve for the hospitality industry.

From June 25 until September 1, the cost of all day wristbands will be reduced and children’s meals at all the food outlets, including the popular Monterey Jack’s diner, will also be reduced.

Jensen Taylor Connelly, Director, M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park said, “We want to make sure that families enjoy great days out this summer and are passing on the VAT savings to our customers.

“We also have some great free entertainment and many attractions for all age groups that people can look forward to over the school summer holidays.”

From Saturday, June 27, until Tuesday, August 11, visitors can meet Bonnie the friendly brontosaurus and Europe’s largest walking dinosaur. As well as meeting Bonnie, visitors can join free activities in the Ranger Training Academy and uncover hidden treasure in the Fossil Dig Zone.

On Sunday, July 5, from 9.30am until 11.30am, the four star Alona Hotel will be hosting Breakfast with the Baby Dinosaurs.

Tickets, which are priced at £15.95 per child and £12.95 per adult plus booking fee, include a photo opportunity with the baby dinos on arrival, a buffet breakfast, fun and games as a Dinosaur Ranger, play time in Krazy Congo Soft Play and a special Dino party bag to take home.

This summer new rides have been added to the Theme Park and all the favourite attractions will be open including Amazonia tropical indoor rainforest with lots of exotic plants and animals, Devil’s Island Adventure Golf, Cosmic Bowl, a ten-pin bowling alley, and Krazy Congo Soft Play.

All day wristbands, providing access to the rides, can be purchased at https://scotlandsthemepark.com

Parking is free and there are also many food outlets to enjoy, from snacks to restaurant meals.

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Taylor Swift never misses a fashion beat.

The Grammy-winning artist rocked up to the Toy Story 5 premiere in Los Angeles yesterday, where she nailed the method dressing trend, loved by celebs from Zendaya to Ariana Grande.

The reason for getting into character? Taylor has provided the original end-credit song ‘I Knew It, I Knew You,’ which she performed for the first time at the premiere.

She was later joined by Randy Newman (who has scored every film in the franchise) for a duet of You’ve Got a Friend in Me. But that’s an iconic story for another day.

In terms of her outfit, Taylor understood the assignment, wearing a patchwork mini dress from Erdem’s fall 2026 collection — a subtle nod to Jessie, her favourite cowgirl.

The sculptural dress featured a strapless bodice with statement bows and was embellished with gems arranged in a floral style.

The skirt was complete with different floral fabrics, which provided the patchwork effect, and finished with raw hems.

The Renaissance-esque shape of the mini skirt created the sculpted effect. Similarly, the vintage fabrics gave the look a nostalgic-cum-futuristic feel.

While there’s no price tag on the dress, Erdem’s collection, titled The Imaginary Conversation, doesn’t come cheap.

From a £3,595 tulle fitted blazer to a £6,495 textured satin wrap coat, there’s nothing available under £495. Even a pair of stone earrings will set you back £575.

But for a billionaire like Taylor, these huge price tags won’t seem so, well, huge.

Alongside the Erdem dress, Tay donned a pair of Aleví Milano satin sandals that retail for £577.

She finished off the look with another tribute to Jessie: an antique diamond Sophie Jane horseshoe necklace.

Her other jewellery pieces included a pair of silver hooped earrings, and of course, her Kindred Lubeck engagement ring from fiancé Travis Kelce, estimated to be worth between $500,000 and over $1 million.

But perhaps the sweetest outfit addition? Instead of a dainty clutch bag, Taylor opted for her own vintage VHS copy of Toy Story.

After the photo call, where she posed alongside actors Tom Hanks and Joan Cusack (who voice Woody and Jessie), she asked the Toy Story legends to sign the video.

The Toy Story premiere isn’t Taylor’s only epic recent look — she’s been serving plenty of fits over the last month or two.

From her chic business-meets-pleasure fit in New York, which literally cost more than most of us will ever earn, to her bridal pleated white skirt and matching turtle neck, there was also the sweet prairie-style floral maxi dress she wore on a date with Travis.

It won’t be long until the pair tie the knot, either, as reports say their marriage is set to take place on July 3 in NYC.

However, not much else is known about the ceremony, as Taylor and Travis are reportedly being very cloak-and-dagger about the event, even watermarking invites to ensure every detail stays under wraps.

What we do know is that, with Taylor and Travis being one of the most famous couples on the planet — plus with celebrity weddings getting more elaborate than ever — it’s likely going to be an unforgettable event.

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As well as our MEN hustings, we’ll also be bringing you updates from the Makerfield by-election campaigns and the wider politics events of the day.

Labour have now accused Reform of “dragging politics into the gutter” after one of the party’s councillors posted a fake poll about the by-election.

Sarah Mason claimed Reform and Labour are neck-and-neck a week out from polling day, with both candidates at 44 per cent. The Scarborough councillor has now deleted the post.

A Labour Party Spokesperson, responding to reports of Reform misinformation, said: “Reform are dragging politics into the gutter. They’re stooping to new lows online because they know Robert Kenyon isn’t fit to be an MP – yet they won’t admit it.

“Instead of spreading misinformation online they should be forcing their candidate to apologise to the public for the vile comments he’s made about women and disgusting false narratives he’s peddled over the Manchester Arena bombing.

“While Reform continues to be mired in scandal and they reach for desperate underhand tactics, Labour’s Andy Burnham is determined to deliver the investment and fairer future all communities across Makerfield deserve. Send Reform packing next week – vote for Labour’s Andy Burnham on Thursday 18 June.”

The stand-off between Ten Hag and Sancho lasted four months, before Sancho joined Dortmund on loan for the remainder of the season and helped them reach the Champions League final.

But they could not afford to keep him and, although United sporting director Dan Ashworth was credited with brokering the truce that allowed Sancho to join up with United in the pre-season of 2024, it was a temporary situation, which Chelsea seemed to solve by agreeing a loan that committed them to a permanent transfer at the end of the season.

Yet, after five goals in 41 appearances, Chelsea preferred to pay a £5m penalty to send Sancho back to Old Trafford.

This time, there was no olive branch. Sancho was placed in Ruben Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’ and had to train away from the first team until he joined Villa on 1 September.

Now United have decided not to trigger the one-year option.

At 25, Sancho still has a lot to offer. There were glimpses of quality during his time at Villa, but he was only introduced off the bench nine minutes from the end of the Europa League final victory over Freiburg on 20 May.

“Seeing Jadon close up, technically, he’s got an awful lot of ability,” said current United interim head coach Michael Carrick when he was asked about Sancho in March.

Carrick worked with Sancho as part of Solskjaer’s backroom team and managed him for three games during his short stint in charge after the Norwegian’s dismissal.

“In and around the box; his ball carrying; his little plays; the connections; his creativity; the way he handles the ball – he’s got natural ability,” said Carrick.

“He’s always had it all the way coming through. That’s one part of football.

“But – and I’m not talking about Jadon individually on this – it is just how it is and how it should be.

“You can’t just assume it’s all going to be smooth. It’s proven that it’s not always like that.

“You’ve got to find a way through it. If you are playing in a good team with good players and a good squad and depth, that’s part of the challenge to stay at the top.”

Footage emerged of the team appearing to be searched on the airport tarmac during their journey to the World Cup, but a statement has now been released clarifying the pictures

The Senegal Football Federation has released a statement clarifying the situation surrounding their arrival in the USA for the World Cup. Footage emerged online appearing to show players and staff members being screened and searched on the airport tarmac.

The videos prompted widespread criticism online. Among those to take aim at the footage was former England striker and pundit Ian Wright.

The incident came at a similar time as when Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the country. He was turned away after an 11-hour-long interview at border control.

Senegal have now moved to explain the situation, clarifying that the checks actually took place before the team’s arrival in San Antonio. They also explain that the checks were pre-arranged.

“Following the circulation on social media of a video showing players and staff members of the Senegal national team undergoing a security check on an airport tarmac, we wish to provide the following clarifications in order to avoid any erroneous interpretation,” the statement read.

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“Contrary to certain reported information, this check did not take place upon the team’s arrival in San Antonio, but rather at the time of boarding at Raleigh airport on Sunday, June 7, 2026, before the flight’s departure.

“As part of the logistical organisation of the trip, the bus carrying the national team left the hotel in Raleigh to go directly onto the airport tarmac.

“This procedure allowed the players and staff members to complete all security and police checks directly at the foot of the aircraft, without having to pass through the usual areas of the terminal and the boarding lounges.

“This arrangement was essentially aimed at optimising the travel time of the delegation and facilitating its boarding on the private flight to San Antonio.

“We wish to emphasise that this procedure took place in compliance with the airport security rules in force and that no particular incident was reported.

“The private flight connecting Raleigh to San Antonio took place under excellent conditions, and the entire delegation arrived at its destination normally.”

Senegal were in action in the early hours of the morning as they drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia. The game saw Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson receive a red card. The nation takes on France, Norway and Iraq in their group stage games.

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Police are responding to reports of three gunshots heard.

The incident was reported at 10.29pm yesterday evening (June 9) on Brascote Lane in Newbold Verdon, a village in Leicestershire.

According to a man, two shots were allegedly fired into a car and one through the front door of a property.

A large, burning cross was discovered at a Chicago park on Tuesday afternoon, and police said they are investigating how it ended up there and the motive behind it.

Video taken by a motorist shows the wooden cross engulfed in bright orange flames as it leans against a tree in Grant Park, a popular area near Lake Michigan. The Chicago Fire Department confirmed the flaming object was a cross, and said officials put out the fire.

Chicago Police said there were no reports of injuries and that they are investigating the motive and circumstances around the “object on fire.”

Keinika Carlton, 43, was driving home from running errands with her daughter and mother-in-law when they saw the cross on fire. She said she felt a combination of shock, sadness, disgust, as well as curiosity.

“Is this a racial thing? Is this a religious thing?” she said. “As Black women, of course, our first thought is racial, because burning crosses are known to be used as a tactic, an act of violence toward Black Americans in the South.”

Carlton estimated the cross was at least 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall. The experience was new to all of them, including Carlton’s mother-in-law, who grew up in Kentucky.

Carlton said as they slowed down to shoot a video of the flames, she saw around her other cars slowing down and people walking nearby, staring at the cross burning.

While the motive behind the burning cross was not immediately clear, cross burnings in the U.S. have historically been seen as “symbols of hate” that are “inextricably intertwined with the history of the Ku Klux Klan,” according to a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision written by the late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The justices ruled that the First Amendment allows bans on cross burnings only when they are intended to intimidate because the action “is a particularly virulent form of intimidation.”

Alyna Carlton, 22, said she never thought she would see something like that in her lifetime.

“It kind of really opened my eyes, had me realize that I’m not that far removed from the past.”