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. 4d ago ·  Video

    Joe Locke, Tom Cullen & The Stories Wales Must Never Forget

    This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris and Jak reflect on one of their busiest weeks yet across Welsh arts and culture. They review After Agincourt starring Gareth David-Lloyd, discuss the stage adaptation of Dirty Dancing, attend the Tŷ Hafan Dark Run, and look back on the closing events of the Iris Prize Festival. The episode also features exclusive interview clips from Joe Locke, Tom Cullen, and the cast of Black Church Bay, discussing storytelling, representation, and the importance of LGBTQ+ film. Plus, Jak leads a fascinating discussion on how art preserves Welsh history, exploring the lasting cultural legacy of Aberfan, the role of theatre and music in remembrance, and why stories such as Capel Celyn remain as relevant as ever. Featuring: 🎭 After Agincourt review  🎬 Joe Locke & Tom Cullen on Black Church Bay  🌈 Iris Prize Festival reflections  🏃 Tŷ Hafan Dark Run  💃 Dirty Dancing at Wales Millennium Centre  🎨 Nathan Wyburn's Aberfan memorial  📚 Why theatre keeps Welsh history alive  🩰 The future of dance in Wales  🏔️ Community, culture and the Valleys  🎭 Why Wales should archive its theatre Pain in the Arts explores the stories, people and performances shaping Welsh culture every week. Support the show

    Joe Locke, Tom Cullen & The Stories Wales Must Never Forget

  2. Oct 15 ·  Video

    How Do You Build a Film Career? Iris Prize Founder Answers

    This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris and Jak are joined by a very special guest: Berwyn Rowlands, founder and CEO of the internationally acclaimed Iris Prize, as the festival celebrates its 20th anniversary. Berwyn shares honest insights into building one of Wales' biggest cultural success stories, surviving two decades of challenges, supporting emerging filmmakers, and creating opportunities for stories that mainstream media often overlooks. The conversation explores how to break into film and television, what makes a great short film, why storytelling still matters, and how creative careers are built through persistence, collaboration, and resilience. Plus, Chris and Jak discuss theatre, festivals, transport links across Wales, the challenges facing artists today, and whether social media is changing the way we experience culture. Featuring: 🎬 Berwyn Rowlands and Iris Prize  🎬 Breaking into film and television  🎬 Film festivals and creative careers  🎬 Storytelling and representation  🎬 LGBTQ+ cinema and independent film  🎭 Capel Celyn review  🎭 A Tidy Boy and Grand Ambition  📚 Are short-form videos changing culture?  🚉 The challenge of arts access across Wales  🎂 Chris' birthday adventures Follow Pain in the Arts for weekly conversations about theatre, film, visual art, music, creativity and culture across Wales. Support the show

    How Do You Build a Film Career? Iris Prize Founder Answers

  3. Oct 8 ·  Video

    Can Wales Become a Creative Powerhouse? With Heledd Fychan

    This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris and Jak discuss a packed week across the Welsh cultural sector, from theatre and music to arts policy and the future of creativity in Wales. The pair review Dracula's Guest at The Riverfront and A Man For All Seasons at New Theatre Cardiff before diving into highlights from the Welsh Music Awards, celebrating Welsh artists past and present. The episode also features the latest part of their special listener Q&A with Heledd Fychan, Minister for Culture, Media and Sport. Together they explore the future of dance in Wales, arts and health programmes, creative industry growth, arts funding, community engagement, cultural strategy and how Wales can export its creative talent to the world. Plus, Welsh cakes, bara brith, art galleries in unexpected places, immersive arts, Welsh storytelling, and a packed rundown of what's coming up across Wales over the next week. Featuring: • Welsh Music Awards 2026  • Dracula's Guest review  • A Man For All Seasons review  • Contemporary dance in Wales  • Arts and health programmes  • Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw  • Welsh creative industries  • Arts funding and cultural strategy  • Cardiff arts events  • Welsh music history  • Mary Hopkin, Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones Follow Pain in the Arts for weekly conversations about theatre, culture, music, creativity and the arts sector in Wales. Support the show

    Can Wales Become a Creative Powerhouse? With Heledd Fychan

  4. Oct 1 ·  Video

    Your Questions, Ministerial Answers

    This week’s Pain in the Arts features a major guest: Heledd Fychan, Minister for Culture, Media and Sport at the Welsh Government, joins Chris and Jak for a special Q&A session inside Cathays Park. She answers listener‑submitted questions on arts funding, creative careers, cultural strategy, community arts, and the future of Wales’ creative industries. Alongside the ministerial conversation, Chris and Jak share their week in the arts — from filming promo videos for the Welsh Pride Awards with Andrew Jenkins and Heidi Heights, to upcoming Ty Hafan events, Winter Wonderland hosting, and a chaotic dog‑related injury. It’s a packed, funny, insightful episode with one of the most important voices in Welsh culture. Featuring:   • Heledd Fychan answers listener questions • Growth potential in Wales’ creative industries • Arts funding, sustainability & long‑term strategy • Exporting Welsh creativity worldwide • Community arts, access & resilience • Welsh Pride Awards promo filming • T.Haven Dark Run & Winter Wonderland Quiz • A chaotic dog‑related injury • Artistry of the Week: True or False Support the show

    Your Questions, Ministerial Answers

  5. Sep 24 ·  Video

    NDCWales, Sian de Bergerac & The London Question

    This week’s Pain in the Arts starts with hot tea — literally — and quickly turns into a deep dive into Welsh arts gossip, sector shifts, dance reviews, and the big question: can you really build a theatre career in Wales without moving to London? Chris and Jak unpack the news that Hannah Firth is leaving Chapter Arts Centre after 25 years to join Theatre Mwldan in Cardigan, before diving into a packed week of performances: National Dance Company Wales’ Blue Glass, Sian de Bergerac by Red Oak Theatre, and The Other Side of Murder at the New Theatre. They explore the decline of dance in Wales, why audiences for contemporary work are changing, how trends shape art forms, and why Welsh theatre spaces can feel both intimate and intimidating. Plus: baking, cardamom tea, Big Brother, The Traitors, and a listener question about whether Wales is a viable place to “make it big.” Featuring:  • Hannah Firth moves from Chapter to Theatre Mwldan • NDCWales Blue Glass — grief, running, and contemporary dance • Dance decline in Wales • Sian de Bergerac — new writing & Welsh storytelling • The Other Side of Murder — dark comedy & standing ovations • Why Welsh theatre spaces feel closed‑circle • The London question: do you need to go? • Cardamom tea, bara brith & Big Brother chaos Support the show

  6. Sep 23 ·  Video

    Operation Mincemeat, Alison Lapper & The Death of Subscriptions?

    Operation Mincemeat lands at the New Theatre, Practical Magic 2 makes a surprise appearance, Alison Lapper brings a powerful conversation to Cardiff, and we tackle two big listener questions — is the subscription model dead, and how do you actually market to artists? In Episode 32, Chris and Jak break down the week in Welsh arts with their usual mix of humour, honesty and sector insight. From cult musicals to craft‑supply marketing, this episode covers the realities of working in the arts right now — the good, the chaotic, and the “why did I choose this career?” moments. Featuring:   • Operation Mincemeat at New Theatre Cardiff • Practical Magic 2 nostalgia and camp energy • Alison Lapper at bigmoose • Lane 7 chaos • Subscription fatigue across the arts • How to market directly to artists • Jak’s Art History segment • What’s coming up this week in Welsh arts Support the show

  7. Sep 10

    Stage & Stem Opens, Death Note Shines & Critics Explain Themselves

    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: 🎳 Lane Seven Cardiff — First Look  • Bowling, karaoke, pool, air hockey, golf • Why activity‑led venues are replacing traditional bars • The rise of “experience culture” in Cardiff • Explore Lane Seven 🎭 Stage & Stem — Cardiff’s New Creative Hub  • A bar that doubles as a performance venue • Live music, scratch nights, theatre, community shows • Why this model nurtures emerging performers • More on Stage & Stem 🏃 Cardiff 10K — Creative Support Crew Edition   • Making banners • Navigating crowds • Cheering on Dan at the finish line • The joy of community events 🎭 Welsh Theatre Season Incoming  • Capel Celyn (Porters) • Blue Glass (National Dance Company Wales) • After Agincourt (Gareth David‑Lloyd) • Why indie Welsh theatre is thriving • Explore Welsh theatre 🎭 Death Note: The Musical — Barbican Review  • Brutalist heaven • Innovative staging by Cardiff Theatrical Services • Why anime‑to‑musical adaptations can work • Cosplay audiences, split staging, powerhouse performances • Returning to the Barbican in May • More on Death Note Musical 🎙️ Q&A This Week  1️⃣ Why do we trust critics?  2️⃣ How do you put on your first exhibition?  3️⃣ How do you start or join an Am Dram group? Warm, witty, and rooted in Welsh creativity — this episode is packed with sector insight, venue news, and practical advice for artists and audiences. Support the show

    Stage & Stem Opens, Death Note Shines & Critics Explain Themselves

  8. Sep 3

    Burlesque Reviewed + Brexit’s Blow to Touring

    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. After a week off, we’re back with a packed episode covering: 🎭 Burlesque at the Wales Millennium Centre  • The clickbait controversy • The technical stop mid‑show • Why the audience’s reaction changed everything • Costume choices that need to stay in 2003 • Why this is one of the strongest movie‑to‑stage adaptations we’ve seen • More on Burlesque musical 📢 Brexit’s Impact on Touring  • A new UK Government report reveals: – 19,000 jobs lost – £1 billion in revenue gone • Why touring companies feel unheard • How this affects Wales • What the future might look like • Explore Brexit touring impact 🎨 How to Put On Your First Exhibition  Barbara asks where to start as an acrylic painter. We cover: • Building a consistent body of work • Why cafés and restaurants are perfect first venues • How to join artist collectives • Why press releases matter • More on starting an exhibition 🎭 Starting or Joining an Am Dram Group  Graham from Builth Wells wants to get involved post‑retirement. We discuss: • How to find existing groups • Why collaboration beats duplication • How Penarth Operatic Society structures its sub‑groups • Explore community theatre It’s honest, funny, sector‑savvy and full of practical insight for artists, audiences and anyone navigating Welsh creativity. Support the show

    Burlesque Reviewed + Brexit’s Blow to Touring
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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
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Edit Wales / Pain in the Arts
  • Show Website
    Pain in the Arts