Entertainment

Torch announces the departure of CEO after 5 years at the helm

Published

1 year ago

October 10, 2024

THE TORCH THEATRE, centre for the arts in Pembrokeshire and one of Wales’ pre-eminent producing theatres today announces the departure of Executive Director Benjamin Lloyd after an historic five years at the helm.

Ben’s tenure at the Torch has taken in the lows of the pandemic and the subsequent determination to survive and flourish, continuing to serve our communities throughout, and the highs of a record breaking 45^th year. Ben has overseen an exhilarating renewal of artistic leadership, major national partnerships and co-productions and the redoubling of the Torch’s commitment to the young, vulnerable and underrepresented in our community with the establishment of a dedicated Youth & Community department.

Enduring highlights include The Pembrokeshire Story engagement project that brought together artists and communities during the pandemic in the building of a living archive of stories; a bumper anniversary year in 2022 that saw five Torch productions, tours of Wales and the UK and runs in London and Edinburgh with a mix of new writing and Torch classics; the establishment of the groundbreaking Craidd partnership, and securing of long-term funding aimed at removing barriers to mainstream theatre for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists and freelancers; and the achievement of a vital uplift in funding as part of the Arts Council Wales Investment Review, securing the Torch’s strategic position at the vanguard of Welsh theatre and bucking the trend of funding cuts across the board.

Benjamin Lloyd, Executive Director said: “It has been the honour of my professional career to lead the theatre that has given so many of us in west Wales our first, and so often only exposure to high quality performing arts in all its forms. The Torch is a minor miracle in today’s funding climate and a precious resource for the community. It represents a window to the world beyond and a lifeline for so many – young, old, isolated and vulnerable – in this beautiful, far-flung part of the world. I am beyond proud of the commitment, skill, humanity and passion of the team under my leadership and what we have achieved together in extremis has been spectacular, delivering for our community and supporting the arts ecology in Wales in ways both seen and unseen.

“However, the commitment required to sustain the Torch throughout this period has been absolute and has come at no small cost to me and to my young family. Now is the time for me to pass on the baton and regain some equilibrium. I have absolute confidence in the artistic leadership of the Torch under Chelsey Gillard, and faith in the team to continue on this exciting trajectory. As I step away, I will be taking some time with my family before pursuing fresh opportunities as we look forward to our next adventure. I will enjoy again celebrating and supporting the Torch as a patron and will look forward to contributing with fresh energy and perspective to the arts and the cultural conversation in Wales and beyond.

“There is never a perfect moment to step aside but having been in dialogue for some time over how and when I would make this change, and with long-term funding and support for artistic innovation and organisational development secured, I have decided with the Board that now is the time to make the break. As such I am stepping down from today with interim arrangements in place as the Board reviews the strategic plan and objectives for my successor.

“I want to thank the staff and volunteer teams (past and present) who go above and beyond to provide a warm welcome and life-enriching experiences to our patrons. Sincere thanks also to our partners, funders – especially colleagues at Arts Council Wales – sponsors, supporters and above all our audience members. Each have delivered a huge vote of confidence in my leadership and the quality in artistic and community provision delivered by our team, with their support throughout my years in post – both financial and otherwise – and it has been so very much appreciated.

“I would like to use my parting words on behalf of the Torch to entreat government at every level to recognise not only the economic and wellbeing benefits that the arts generate and deliver, but also the essential contributions that the arts and in particular, a venue such as the Torch makes to the cultural fabric of their community and society at large. Our theatres, at their best, are citadels of expression and inclusion that play a vital role in forging social cohesion, place-making and sustaining communities, particularly in times of social decline and unrest. However, such venues within the funded arts sector cannot continue to exist on the good will and the commitment of their overextended workforce and require adequate funding and support if they are to continue to prosper. Protect the arts, Caru the Torch.”

Katrina Marsh, Chair of the Torch Theatre Board of Management said: “On behalf of the Board and staff team we extend our thanks to Ben for his dedication and leadership through the most challenging period in our history. His commitment to the Torch, its artists and the people of Pembrokeshire has left a legacy that we will seek to protect and build on. We wish Ben and his family well in their future endeavours and will be working with the senior management team to continue the delivery of our operational and strategic plans.”

Entertainment

New appeal in search for missing Manic Street Preachers musician

Published

3 days ago

January 31, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Family and charity issue fresh appeal for information about guitarist 31 years on

THIRTY-ONE years after the disappearance of Richey Edwards, a new public appeal has been issued urging anyone with information to come forward.

Edwards, guitarist and lyricist with Manic Street Preachers, vanished on January 31, 1995, in a case that has become one of the most enduring mysteries in British music history.

***Missing for over 30 years: Richey Edwards***

The then 27-year-old was last seen at the Embassy Hotel Bayswater in west London, where he had been staying ahead of a promotional trip to the United States. He checked out of room 561 but never reached his destination.

Despite numerous reported sightings over the years, none have ever been confirmed. Edwards was officially declared presumed dead in 2008, though his family continue to mark the anniversary of his disappearance and keep hope alive that answers may still emerge.

Anniversary appeal

The charity Missing People has released a statement in collaboration with Edwards’ sister Rachel, asking the public to remember the case.

In a social media post, the organisation said: “It is 31 years since Richard went missing, please keep his family in your thoughts.”

They also repeated key identifying details from the time he vanished. Edwards was described as white, around 5ft 7in tall, slim, with brown eyes and a shaved head. He had several distinctive tattoos, including a rose with the words ‘Useless Generation’, the phrase ‘I’ll surf this beach’, and a scar on his lower left arm where he had scratched the words ‘4 REAL’.

Unanswered questions

His car was later found near the Severn Bridge services, close to the Welsh border, prompting widespread searches but yielding no firm clues about what happened next.

At the time of his disappearance, the band were on the brink of international success. Edwards’ intense, literate songwriting and striking image had already made him a defining figure in Welsh rock music. More than three decades later, fans still hold vigils, create murals and share tributes across Wales and beyond.

Police say the case remains open.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police Service on 101 or use their online reporting service, quoting reference CONNECT REF 01/764429/24. Missing People also operates a free, confidential helpline on 116 000.

Entertainment

Turner and Constable brought to life on the big screen at the Torch Theatre

Published

4 days ago

January 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ART lovers in Pembrokeshire will have the chance to experience the lives and rivalries of two of Britain’s greatest painters when a new documentary, EOS: Turner & Constable, arrives at the Torch Theatre this March.

Celebrating the 250th anniversary of their births, the film explores the intertwined stories and enduring legacies of J.M.W. Turner and John Constable alongside Tate Britain’s major new exhibition. Exhibition on Screen has been granted exclusive behind-the-scenes access, bringing their extraordinary art and personal histories vividly to the cinema screen.

Born just a year apart, Turner and Constable helped redefine landscape painting in Britain – and were fierce competitors. Both captured a nation in transition, yet their styles could not have been more different. Turner’s dramatic skies, blazing sunsets and atmospheric scenes from his travels contrasted sharply with Constable’s gentle, nostalgic portrayals of the English countryside and familiar rural life.

Their opposing visions divided critics and audiences alike, famously described at the time as a clash of “fire and water”.

The documentary offers rare, intimate access to sketchbooks, letters and personal artefacts, alongside insights from leading curators and art historians. It also ties in with Tate Britain’s landmark exhibition, running in London from November 2025 to April 2026, which reunites the two masters’ works side-by-side.

This cinematic event gives audiences the chance to see their masterpieces in stunning detail and discover unexpected sides to two artists whose rivalry shaped British art history.

Turner and Constable will be screened at the Torch Theatre on Sunday, March 15 at 4:30pm.

Tickets are £13. For bookings, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01646 695267.

Entertainment

Companies awarded funding as part of Made in Wales: Factual Entertainment project

Published

5 days ago

January 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Network and Creative Wales have awarded four Wales-based production companies funding to develop ideas for a new Factual Entertainment series

BBC CYMRU WALES, BBC Network, and Creative Wales announced the launch of a new development fund for a Factual Entertainment series at the Wales Media Summit last year.

Production companies with a substantive base in Wales were invited to pitch bold, original ideas that celebrate Welsh creativity while delivering unforgettable entertainment to audiences across the UK.

Boom, Curve Media, South Shore and Tŷ’r Ddraig have successfully been awarded funding to further develop their ideas for a new Factual Entertainment series. Each company will receive £10,000 of funding, with development starting in the coming weeks.

Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning BBC Cymru Wales, said: “We were really impressed by the variety and volume of the submissions we received – companies really responded to our call for ideas for an ambitious, returnable format, that surprises, unites, and captivates. We’re so excited to be working with the four successful companies, and we’re looking forward to seeing how their ideas develop further.”

Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events, said: “Made in Wales is a collaboration to find a major new factual entertainment series that will harness the best of Welsh creativity and resonate across the UK. We are really looking forward to working with brilliant Welsh talent to come up with the next big thing.”

Joedi Langley, Interim Head of Creative Wales, said: “This announcement follows a recently published and updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Creative Wales and BBC, a commitment between the two organisations to work together to support the vibrant, diverse, world-class screen industries in Wales.

“This new development funding will do just that – create new opportunities for Welsh based production companies to develop exciting, original ideas for factual content. Congratulations to the indies, we look forward to seeing what comes next!”

The total funding of £40,000 has been provided by BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Network and the Welsh Government via Creative Wales.