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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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After an unexpected week off (Chris’s dad had a heart attack — he’s recovering well), we’re back with a fast‑round Q&A special, answering your biggest questions about arts careers, degrees, venues, funding, AI and theatre etiquette.

This week we cover:

🎨 Becoming an Art Critic 
• How long it takes
• Whether it can be a full‑time career
• Why criticism in Wales is evolving
• The balance between promotion and critique
• The importance of separating relationships from reviews
• More on art criticism

🧵 Should You Study Textiles? 
• Jack’s experience with a textiles degree
• How he uses it now
• Why multidisciplinary degrees can be more flexible
• The craft vs fine‑art debate
• Explore creative degrees

🏛️ Why Are Theatres Falling Apart? 
• The history of miners’ halls and community venues
• How local authorities inherited buildings they can’t afford
• Why renovation funding is scarce
• The future: community asset transfers, new builds, and political decisions
• Learn about theatre funding

🧪 Arts & Health: Who Funds It? 
• NHS vs Arts Council
• Why arts‑and‑health projects are growing
• The Manchester “prescribed comedy” trial
• Bangor University’s arts‑and‑health research
• More on arts and health

🧵 Should Ceramicists Use AI for Marketing? 
• Why AI captions can boost SEO
• How makers can use AI ethically
• Why AI shouldn’t generate posters or artwork
• Building a social‑media‑first sales strategy
• Explore AI for creatives

🍷 Should Theatres Allow BYOB? 
• Accessibility vs behaviour
• Why overpriced drinks exclude audiences
• When BYOB becomes a problem
• The difference between “fun” and “disruptive”
• More on theatre etiquette

It’s fast, funny, honest, and packed with practical insight for anyone working in — or trying to break into — the arts.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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• 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Welcome back to Pain in the Arts — the podcast about the arts and creative industries in Wales, hosted by broadcaster Chris J Birch and artist‑writer‑editor Jak Rhys Birch.

This week’s episode is recorded from the car, somewhere between Hay Festival and home, after the busiest eight‑day stretch we’ve had in ages.

Here’s what we’ve been up to:

🌿 Hay Festival Highlights  
• Chris saw Dawn French in conversation with Richard Coles
• Chris also attended a Writers Room session with Francis Bickmore (Canongate)
• Jak saw Hugh Bonneville and Danny Robins
• Today: Ian Hislop, Adrian Edmondson, Ben Elton, Prue Leith & Alan Davies

🎭 Cabaret Cardiff: Buffy the Vampire Slayer  
A chaotic, camp, joyful evening.

🌞 The Most British Bank Holiday Ever  
Garden centre → garden wandering → tea → existential dread.

🎸 Sunny Afternoons at the Wales Millennium Centre  
A mid‑week musical pick‑me‑up.

🎙️ Q&A This Week 
1️⃣ How do digital artists differentiate their work from AI? 
2️⃣ Does Wales need more festivals like Hay — and how do you start one?

🎨 Jak Teaches Chris Something Interesting  
A weekly fact worth clipping — from ballet shoes to Buffy studies.

📅 The Week Ahead  
• The Enormous Crocodile at the New Theatre
• Feast On Festival
• Back to Hay Festival
• Waitress at WMC
• Rocky Horror at the New Theatre

If you love Welsh arts, creative chaos, and two slightly sunburnt men trying to podcast in a moving vehicle — this one’s for you.

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Chris heads to London for the Business of the Arts Summit, Jak speaks at Cardiff University, we hit six galleries in one day, and we still find time to celebrate a birthday and review multiple shows.

We also answer your listener questions, including:
• What are the next steps after leaving creative education?
• Should you start an arts Instagram for free tickets?
• How do you pick a creative hobby without fear of being “bad” at it?

It’s a big one. Grab a cuppa.

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They head to Cabaret Cardiff for Dyke Systems Ltd, the debut production from new theatre company Fagpacket — a razor‑sharp MLM‑themed comedy that turns out to be one of the best shows they’ve ever seen at Cabaret. From perfect timing to unhinged characters, the pair break down why this grassroots production deserves national attention.

Jak also reviews Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (“The Trocs”), a gloriously camp, technically brilliant ballet performed entirely by male dancers in traditionally female roles. Meanwhile, Roath prepares for Roath Gallery Weekend, with more than a dozen independent galleries opening their doors for a three‑day celebration of local art.

The pair also look ahead to Cherry Vine at Cabaret, the Arts Professional Summit in London, and a packed month of creative events.

This week’s listener questions explore:
• What’s the easiest art form to start as a hobby — especially if you’re scared you’ll be bad at it? 
• If you start an arts Instagram page, will theatres automatically give you free tickets? (Spoiler: absolutely not.)

Warm, witty and full of sector insight, this episode celebrates the joy of grassroots creativity — and the reality of navigating Wales’ arts ecosystem.

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They discuss the expectations placed on reviewers, the rise of content‑creator demands in theatre marketing, and the awkward truth that some venues only want positive reviews. There’s also a look ahead to Double Indemnity at the New Theatre, the Unstable Arts exhibition preview, and Chris’ upcoming hosting of the Rainbow Wales book talk with Emily Garside.

This week’s listener questions ask:
• If you could be immortalised in any art form, what would it be? 
• Should you delay becoming a full‑time artist because of the Senedd election?

Warm, witty and full of sector insight, this episode blends humour with honesty — and captures the creative pulse of Wales right now.

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Jack heads to Friends: The Musical Parody with his family — a show that takes affectionate aim at the iconic sitcom — while Chris endures a flatter‑than‑expected production of The Spy Who Came In From the Cold. Meanwhile, Cabaret Cardiff continues its reign as the city’s most eclectic arts hub, hosting everything from jazz to burlesque to magic.

The pair also attend the Madfabulous film premiere with the Iris Prize, celebrate Welsh storytelling on the big screen, and explore the stunning Swansea Grand Theatre.

This week’s listener questions tackle two big topics:
• Where is all the funding — and are there hidden pots creatives don’t know about? 
• How will our current era of art be remembered by future generations?

Warm, witty and full of sector insight, this episode captures the pulse of Welsh arts right now.

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The episode opens with a deep dive into the heated debate around Arts Council Wales funding for Michael Sheen’s new theatre company — exploring the fears, the facts, and the potential impact on Wales’ creative ecosystem. From there, the pair head to NoFit State’s Carnation in Barry, discuss the Bro Radio Community Awards, and share their latest tattoo adventure.

Warm, witty and full of sharp cultural insight, this episode blends humour with hard truths about the realities of running creative spaces in Wales.

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They also tackle two big questions:

• Are we drifting back toward elitism in the arts? 
• How do you refresh a creative business after 20+ years?

Expect sharp insights, warm humour, and a candid look at how the arts sector is shifting — from who gets to make art, to who gets to access it, to how creatives can keep their work alive in a changing world.

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They also dive into the growing trend of “friction maxing” — the Gen Z/Gen Alpha movement bringing analogue creativity back into fashion, from film photography to darkroom experiments. And yes, Jack is already planning to turn the studio into one.

This week’s listener questions spark two big discussions:

• Why do trusts and charities succeed where councils fail? 
• How do you get a book published in Wales?

Expect honesty, humour, and a lot of practical insight into how Welsh arts spaces survive, adapt, and sometimes collapse — and what communities can do about it.

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Expect quick answers, big opinions, practical advice, and plenty of laughter as they cover:

• How venues can boost sales in a cost‑of‑living crisis
• What Martin’s Law means for festivals and events
• Where to actually find local authority funding
• How to educate audiences without lecturing them
• Getting children engaged in the arts
• Whether Welsh language theatre leaves people out
• Where to find traditional art in Wales
• How potters can sell work beyond Etsy
…and much more.

It’s fast, fun, and full of genuinely useful insights for creatives, venues, parents, and anyone navigating the Welsh arts scene.

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They explore Kelsey Cruz-Martin’s mixed‑media exhibition at G39, celebrate the launch of Wales’ first music talk show, and reflect on the wonderfully chaotic but heart‑warming Get the Chance Awards. There’s also a surprisingly joyful review of Midsomer Murders on stage — a show they expected to tolerate but ended up loving.

This week’s listener questions spark two deep conversations:
• How do we preserve Welsh culture in a rapidly changing Wales? 
• Whose job is it to market an exhibition — the artist or the venue?

Expect humour, honesty, and a lot of practical advice for creatives navigating the sector.

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They unpack the brilliance of My Mixed Up Tape by Katie Payne, a production they describe as Welsh theatre history in the making. From there, it’s off to Cabaret for Gagged, a riotous queer comedy night featuring Lee Peart, Kate Cheka, Jane Edwards and Alex Mitchell. Add in a cultural celebration in Abergavenny, a stack of new Welsh books, and the early planning stages of TEDx Bute Street, and it’s been a week.

This episode’s listener questions hit hard:
• How do you raise issues about arts funding without being labelled “dramatic”? 
• Is being Welsh — and making Welsh work — creatively limiting?

Expect honesty, humour, and a few home truths about the realities of working in Wales’ creative sector.

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They explore the rise of analogue culture, the joy of independent Welsh literary magazines, and the upcoming Hay Festival — including some exciting news about covering it from the press pit. Theatre‑wise, it’s been a whirlwind: Barnum brings organised circus chaos to the Wales Millennium Centre, Rick on the Roof captures the heart of Barry in just 15 minutes, and Is Anybody There? sparks a deeper conversation about bilingual theatre and creative accessibility.

This week’s listener questions dig into two big topics: how creatives cope when admin takes over their lives, and how newcomers can break into the Welsh arts scene without feeling like outsiders. Expect honesty, humour, and a few hard truths — plus some genuinely useful advice.

A warm, witty, and wonderfully chaotic episode celebrating Welsh creativity in all its forms.

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The pair unpack the five pillars of the new music manifesto, discuss the role of AI in protecting homegrown creativity, and reflect on how political shifts could reshape the arts sector in Wales. They also review a string of performances, including a standout night at the Cabaret Club, a deeply immersive VR experience at the Wales Millennium Centre, and Kimberly Nixon’s powerful one‑woman show Baby Brain.

This week’s listener question asks what adjustments arts venues should make to better include disabled audiences — sparking a thoughtful conversation about access, dignity, and why accessibility must be built‑in, not bolted‑on.

It’s a lively, thoughtful, and deeply Welsh episode that blends humour, advocacy, and a genuine love for the arts.

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But things get deeper fast.

A listener asks whether pet portraits still have a future now that AI keeps giving dogs extra limbs, sparking a conversation about authenticity, artistic value, and why human creativity will always outpace machine‑generated shortcuts. Later, comedian Maria Lee sends in a question about subconscious bias in casting, leading to a thoughtful discussion on representation, diverse panels, and why audiences need to be educated—not coddled.

Along the way, Chris and Jak explore how Welsh culture, food, music, and art all feed into each other, why creative markets matter, and how AI is reshaping (and sometimes ruining) the way people approach art.

It’s funny, honest, chaotic, and very, very Welsh.

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Fresh from seeing 2:22 A Ghost Story, the pair unpack why live horror hits differently, how escape rooms expose our overthinking tendencies, and why everyone in Cardiff suddenly owns a fur coat. But beneath the laughs, they tackle two big listener questions: How do you stop comparing your work to everyone else online? And how do you say no to unpaid opportunities without burning bridges?

Expect honest advice, industry insight, and a few spicy truths about funding, freelancing, and the myth of “exposure.”

Whether you’re an artist, performer, freelancer, or creative soul trying to survive the chaos — you’re in good company.

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Welsh arts, creative careers, freelancing, unpaid work, exposure culture, imposter syndrome, comparison culture, horror theatre, 2:22 A Ghost Story, creative confidence, arts funding Wales, creative industry advice, Pain in the Arts podcast

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In this episode of Pain in the Arts, Chris and Jak dive into a packed seven days across Wales’ creative scene. From gearing up for the iconic Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at the Wales Millennium Centre, to a surprisingly emotional one‑woman show at the Sherman Theatre, they unpack the highs, the laughs, and the unexpected tears.

They also explore Janet Chaplin’s vibrant new exhibition in Penarth, share half‑term creative picks for families, and tackle a listener question about how to get friends and family to take your creative career seriously. Spoiler: it’s not just a “fun little hobby”.

If you work in the arts, want to work in the arts, or just love watching the chaos from a safe distance, you’re in good company here.

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