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. 12h ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Jun 18

    Wales Is Leading the Future of Art — Here’s How

    This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris and Jak explore the future of Welsh arts — from community‑led opera to cutting‑edge immersive tech, and a major new culture announcement from Wales’ new Culture Minister, Heledd Fychan. We talk: • Fio's x Music Theatre Wales’ modern opera • The Annwn Prize and the rise of immersive art • Whether VR will replace traditional theatre • Heledd’s new culture & sport strategy • Arts and health • Why Wales is becoming a leader in immersive storytelling Plus: two big listener questions on immersive art and the future of the sector. Warm, insightful, political and full of creative optimism — this is Pain in the Arts at its best. Support the show

    Wales Is Leading the Future of Art — Here’s How

  7. Jun 11

    Waitress, Pride & The Trial of… Something?

    This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris and Jak somehow survive running two major events in one week — TEDxButeStreet and Barry Pride — while also squeezing in Rocky Horror, Waitress, VR art, and a mysterious Fio performance. We talk: • TEDx at the Senedd • Barry Pride’s grassroots resilience • Welsh drag icons • Rocky Horror chaos • Waitress at WMC • The Anwynn Prize and the future of immersive art • A mentoring situation gone very wrong Warm, honest, chaotic and very Welsh — this is Pain in the Arts at its most unhinged. Support the show

    Waitress, Pride & The Trial of… Something?

  8. Jun 4

    TEDx, Rocky Horror & Pride Week Chaos — What a Week

    Fresh from TEDxButeStreet — literally an hour after leaving the Senedd — Chris and Jak dive into one of the busiest, most meaningful weeks they’ve had in Welsh arts. This episode covers: • TEDxButeStreet: mentoring, organising, and platforming Welsh voices • Rocky Horror at the New Theatre • A deconsecrated church photo call • Barry Pride and the realities of grassroots organising • Queer Icons cabaret • Why UK art is still too London‑centric • How to decentralise culture and support Welsh creatives Warm, honest, political, and full of community spirit — this is Pain in the Arts at its best. Support the show

    TEDx, Rocky Horror & Pride Week Chaos — What a Week
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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
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Edit Wales / Pain in the Arts
  • Show Website
    Pain in the Arts