Pain in the Arts

The Edit Wales
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Pain in the Arts is the unapologetically honest podcast from Welsh creatives Chris & Jak. Each week they dive into the glorious mess of the arts sector with irreverent humour, lived experience, and questionable advice. Featuring our Weekly Questions segment, guest voice notes, theatre rants, and the glamorous mundanity of creative life. If you’ve ever been told your work is “too niche,” this is your backstage pass to solidarity and satire.

  1. 6d ago

    CIC vs Charity, Meta Glasses & AI for Writers

    Welcome back to Pain in the Arts, the weekly podcast exploring the arts and creative sector in Wales — hosted by broadcaster Chris J Birch and artist‑writer‑editor Jak Rhys Birch. This week we’re talking: 🕹️ Cult VR — Under the Dome   • Our first visit to Wales’ immersive dome • Pink Floyd visuals, tech, families and experience culture • Why VR venues are becoming part of the arts ecosystem 🎨 Art Market — Laundry Quarter Creativity   • A new indie space in Canton/Pontcanna • Makers, prints, ceramics, textiles • Approachable, non‑pretentious gallery culture 🧗 Rock Climbing & Summer Walks   • Boulders on Newport Road • 10K walks, pedal‑power cycling, Penarth bookshops • How movement is shaping our creative summer 🎭 Beauty & the Beast Panto Interview   • Jo Osmond returns to the New Theatre • A brand‑new villain character • Backstage tours coming soon 🎙️ Q&A This Week  1️⃣ CIC vs Charity vs Limited Company — what should new theatre founders choose?  2️⃣ Should venues ban Meta glasses to protect privacy and IP?  3️⃣ Is AI coming for writers after Take a Break switched to AI stories? Warm, witty, and rooted in Welsh creativity — this episode is essential listening. Support the show

    CIC vs Charity, Meta Glasses & AI for Writers

  2. Aug 6

    Cult VR, Canton Creativity & AI vs Writers

    Welcome back to Pain in the Arts, the weekly podcast exploring the arts and creative sector in Wales — hosted by broadcaster Chris J Birch and artist‑writer‑editor Jak Rhys Birch. This week we’re talking: 🕹️ Cult VR — Under the Dome  • Wales’ largest immersive dome • Pink Floyd experiences • Families, tech, and the rise of experience culture • Why immersive arts are booming in Cardiff • More on Cult VR 🎨 Art Market — Laundry Quarter Creativity  • New indie space in Canton/Pontcanna • Local makers, prints, ceramics, textiles • Approachable, non‑pretentious gallery culture • Why these spaces matter for Welsh creatives • Explore Art Market 🧗 Rock Climbing at Boulders  • Creativity meets cardio • Sore muscles, nostalgia, and summer wellbeing • Cardiff’s growing movement‑and‑arts crossover • Visit Boulders Cardiff 🍦 Ice Cream, Walks & Boat Trips   • Glastonbury sunshine • Cardiff Bay → Penarth walk • Boat back across the water • The soft arts of summer 🖼️ Tess Powell at Unstable Arts  • California‑to‑Wales artistic shift • Mixed media, recycled materials, emotional domestic scenes • Why her work feels grounding and deeply human • More on Unstable Arts 🎙️ Q&A This Week  1️⃣ Should smelly food be banned in theatres?  2️⃣ Do writers have a future in an AI world? Warm, witty, and rooted in Welsh creativity — this episode is essential listening. Support the show

    Cult VR, Canton Creativity & AI vs Writers

  3. Jul 30

    Smelly Food in the Theatre, Karate Kid the Musical & Immersive Arts

    Welcome back to Pain in the Arts, the weekly podcast exploring the arts and creative sector in Wales — hosted by broadcaster Chris J Birch and artist‑writer‑editor Jak Rhys Birch. This week we’re talking: 🎭 The Karate Kid Musical at WMC  • Brilliant cast, strong vocals, great score • But… clunky staging, odd choreography, and timing issues • Why coming‑of‑age musicals feel overdone • Jak’s full review coming soon on The Edit 🧬 Evolver — Immersive VR Experience at WMC  • Cate Blanchett meditation • Becoming an air molecule inside the human body • Water jets, swivel chairs, and disorientation • Why VR is pushing audiences to “just try it” • Free trial version available in BOX 🎪 Glastonbury (the village, not the festival!)   • Sunshine, community, and a day of wandering • Why small cultural towns matter as much as big festivals ⛴️ Penarth Boat Trip   • Walking from Cardiff Bay to Penarth • Boat back to the Bay • A perfect summer arts‑and‑wellbeing day 🎨 Tess Powell Exhibition at Unstable Arts   • California‑to‑Wales artistic shift • Mixed media, recycled materials, emotional domestic scenes • A Welsh blanket made from carrier bags • Why non‑pretentious galleries matter 🎙️ Q&A This Week  1️⃣ Should smelly food be banned in theatres and galleries?  2️⃣ Where can you find non‑pretentious galleries in Wales? Warm, witty, and rooted in Welsh creativity — this episode is essential listening. Support the show

    Smelly Food in the Theatre, Karate Kid the Musical & Immersive Arts

  4. Jul 23

    Hollywood Bowl, High Society & Welsh Arts Highlights

    Welcome back to Pain in the Arts, the weekly podcast exploring the arts and creative sector in Wales — hosted by broadcaster Chris J Birch and artist‑writer‑editor Jak Rhys Birch. This week we’re talking: 🎳 Hollywood Bowl XL Opens in Cardiff   • Go‑karting under the bowling lanes • Arcade chaos • Why leisure spaces matter for creative wellbeing • Cardiff losing Vue Cinema — and what that means for the city 🎭 The Bodyguard at the Wales Millennium Centre  • Whitney Houston medley • Pyrotechnics hot enough to remove eyebrows • Why Jak loved it — and why Chris would’ve hated it • Review now live on The Edit 🎭 High Society at the New Theatre  • Helen George (Call the Midwife) • Freddie Fox (Slow Horses, House of the Dragon) • Golden‑age nostalgia done right • Full review on The Edit 🖼️ Tess Powell Exhibition at Unstable Arts   • California‑to‑Wales artistic shift • Mixed media, recycled materials, emotional storytelling • Why her work feels grounding, human and deeply relatable • A Welsh blanket made from recycled carrier bags 🎭 Pews at 10 — Heading to Edinburgh Fringe  • A Welsh story set in St David’s • Comedy, gossip, community • Interview now live on The Edit   • Why Welsh stories belong on global stages 🎙️ Q&A This Week  1️⃣ Top theatre production of 2024 so far?  2️⃣ Favourite art exhibition this year?  3️⃣ Suggestions for summer arts events? Warm, witty, and rooted in Welsh creativity — this episode is essential listening. Support the show

  5. Jul 16

    Annie at WMC, Oxford Museums & Cadstock Festival Highlights

    This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris and Jak dive into a whirlwind of Welsh arts, summer chaos, and big creative questions. We talk: • Annie at the Wales Millennium Centre • Oxford museums and cultural curiosities • Jellyfish‑filled beach evenings • Cadstock music festival • Graduation season in Cardiff • How creatives can stop comparing themselves to others • What the future of Welsh arts might look like Warm, funny, reflective, and rooted in the creative heartbeat of Wales — this episode is a perfect snapshot of summer in the arts. Support the show

    Annie at WMC, Oxford Museums & Cadstock Festival Highlights

  6. Jul 9

    Will AI Cause Job Losses in the Arts? We Get Into It

    This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris and Jak explore everything from TEDx speaker opportunities to at-risk theatres, from Swansea’s newest production to the arrival of Annie at WMC. Plus: should American artists move to the UK, and will AI mean job losses in the arts? We talk: • Physical Education (Grand Ambition) • TEDx Bute Street September call-out • Theatres Trust At-Risk list • Heatwaves damaging cultural assets • Barry & Pontypridd’s Town of Culture bids • Annie at the Wales Millennium Centre • Two big listener questions on relocation & AI Warm, insightful, and rooted in Welsh creativity — this is Pain in the Arts at its best. Support the show

    Will AI Cause Job Losses in the Arts? We Get Into It

  7. Jul 2

    Old‑School Marketing, Cave Art & Andy Burnham: A Big Arts Week

    This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris and Jak explore everything from prehistoric cave paintings to modern marketing strategies — and even the potential future of UK arts under Andy Burnham. We talk: • Old‑school vs digital marketing • Art on the Edge in Newport • Physical Education at Swansea Grand • Burnham’s cultural vision • Cave paintings and early artistic genius • Two big listener questions on marketing and UK arts policy Warm, witty, insightful and rooted in Welsh creativity — this is Pain in the Arts at its most curious. Support the show

    Old‑School Marketing, Cave Art & Andy Burnham: A Big Arts Week

  8. Jun 25

    Heatwave Chaos, Fawlty Towers & Future of Theatre

    This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris and Jak battle a Welsh heatwave to bring you a packed episode covering: • Thespians at the New Theatre • Fawlty Towers at the Wales Millennium Centre • The Future Commissioners Conference • A Creative Cardiff showcase • Disabled artists & criticism • Why known IP is taking over theatre Warm, insightful, political and full of creative optimism — this is Pain in the Arts at its sweatiest. Support the show

    Heatwave Chaos, Fawlty Towers & Future of Theatre
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About

Pain in the Arts is the unapologetically honest podcast from Welsh creatives Chris & Jak. Each week they dive into the glorious mess of the arts sector with irreverent humour, lived experience, and questionable advice. Featuring our Weekly Questions segment, guest voice notes, theatre rants, and the glamorous mundanity of creative life. If you’ve ever been told your work is “too niche,” this is your backstage pass to solidarity and satire.

Information

  • Creator
    The Edit Wales
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Edit Wales / Pain in the Arts
  • Show Website
    Pain in the Arts