This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris and Jak celebrate hitting 1,000 YouTube subscribers before diving into a packed week across Wales’ creative scene — from circus‑musical mayhem to rooftop cinema and a bilingual ghost story that left them asking, “Is anybody there?”

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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