New vertical drama Signal will follow a romance between a Cardiff teenager and a girl from rural Wales

S4C has commissioned a new 60-episode drama created specifically for TikTok, with filming beginning at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells this week.

The Welsh-language series, titled Signal, will be released through S4C’s Hansh social media channel and will tell the story of a developing relationship between a boy from Cardiff and a girl from rural Wales.

Produced by Mojo Productions, the drama will be filmed vertically to fit mobile phone screens, with each short episode lasting just a few minutes.

The format has grown rapidly in popularity internationally, with tightly scripted episodes designed to be watched and shared on platforms such as TikTok.

The commission follows the success of S4C’s first vertical drama, Yr Alwad, which was also produced by Mojo Productions.

The series received nominations in the Best Vertical Series category at the National Film Awards and the Best Short-Form Scripted category at the Broadcast Digital Awards.

S4C said the new production would also be used to develop emerging Welsh writing and acting talent.

Four writers will work on the series, including Brynach Higginson, Mari Izzard, Rhiannon Williams and Yr Alwad writer and director Alexander Williams.

The writing team will be led by Gwenno Hughes, whose previous credits include Hafiach and Fflam.

A number of new performers have also been selected following an open casting call.

Gwenan Lloyd, Gabriel Owen and Joshua Romain will play Elliw, Alffi and Tom respectively.

Siriol Ousey, known for Hafiach, will appear as Angie, while Lili Mai Davies, who has appeared in Y Coridor and Bregus, will play Catrin.

Guto Rhun, S4C’s Young Audiences Commissioner, said the broadcaster needed to adapt as viewing habits continued to change.

He said: “As viewing habits continue to evolve, we have to be bold, especially in creating content for younger audiences.

“I am delighted to see S4C working with production companies to experiment with exciting content which entertains our audiences and meets them where they watch.”

S4C Chief Content Officer Llion Iwan said vertical drama formed part of the broadcaster’s move towards becoming a digital-first service.

He said: “Vertical dramas are a popular international format which reflects S4C’s vision of transforming into a digital-first broadcaster.

“We are very proud of the success of Yr Alwad and are looking forward to seeing content that builds on that success.

“Bold content that travels is key to expanding our audience.”

Filming for Signal is due to begin at the Royal Welsh Showground during this week’s Royal Welsh Show.

Foreigner in My Body combines theatre, movement and aerial performance in an accessible show inspired by artist Sara Hartel’s experiences

An AERIAL circus theatre production exploring identity, migration and belonging will make the final stop of its Welsh tour at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven this month.

Foreigner in My Body combines theatre, movement and aerial circus to tell a semi-autobiographical story inspired by artist Sara Hartel’s experiences as a trans person and a migrant living in Wales.

The one-person production includes integrated captions and audio description, making it accessible to blind, partially sighted, D/deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. It is recommended for adults and young people aged 13 and over.

Sara Hartel, is an interdisciplinary artist born in Germany and now based in Wales. Their previous work has included combining gaming with live performance in GORE and encouraging audiences to challenge authority in Strike Ltd.

Foreigner in My Body brings together aerial circus and theatre with a humorous and tongue-in-cheek tone, while examining serious questions about identity, discrimination and finding a sense of home.

The creative team behind the production includes composer Frances Bolley and movement artist Eddie Ladd.

Sara said: “I am so excited to be finally bringing this show, which I have been developing for many years, to audiences in Milford Haven.

“At a time of growing discrimination towards both migrant and trans communities, it is important for me to be able to share a semi-autobiographical story centred in joy.

“I am also passionate about the show being as accessible as possible, with integrated captions and audio description for blind, partially sighted and D/deaf audiences.”

The production is touring five venues across Wales this summer, with the Torch Theatre performance marking the final date of the tour.

Foreigner in My Body has been made possible with support and funding from the Arts Council of Wales.

The show will be performed at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, on Wednesday, July 29, at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £15, or £12 for concessions, and can be booked through the Torch Theatre website or by calling the box office on 01646 695267.

There is something particularly special about watching a children’s cast take to the stage, and Robin Hood: The Legend of the Black Knight, presented by Torch Youth Theatre, was a wonderful example of just how much talent, enthusiasm and confidence young performers can bring to a show.

Running at the Torch Theatre from Monday, July 20 to Thursday, July 23, the production offers a brand-new retelling of the timeless Robin Hood legend, transporting audiences into the heart of Sherwood Forest.

The story follows Robin Hood, Maid Marian and a host of familiar characters as they fight for freedom against the tyranny of Queen Eleanor and the ruthless Sheriff of Nottingham. With daring escapes, a legendary archery contest and the mysterious presence of the Black Knight, there is plenty to keep audiences entertained.

From the outset, the production felt well organised and ran remarkably smoothly, with no noticeable hiccups. The set was simple and minimalistic, which worked particularly well. Rather than distracting from the action, it provided an effective backdrop that allowed the cast and story to remain the focus.

The lighting was another real highlight. It was beautifully executed throughout, helping to establish the mood and tone of each scene while adding to the overall atmosphere of the production. The timing was excellent, and there were no noticeable technical issues.

The costumes were also a real highlight and helped bring the characters and story to life. They were well designed, colourful and suited the production perfectly, adding to the overall visual appeal of the show. It was clear that a lot of thought had gone into making sure each character looked the part.

The props were also well chosen and surprisingly realistic. One particular detail that caught my attention was the Ring of Power, which looked wonderfully sparkly under the stage lights and added a lovely touch of magic to the production.

The sound was generally clear, and the children did an excellent job of projecting their voices. There were a few moments when the sound seemed to drift slightly, and some lines were harder to hear when there was additional commotion happening on stage. However, this was only a minor issue, and overall the cast communicated confidently and clearly.

The performances themselves were a real strength of the show. While the entire cast deserves credit for the effort and commitment they brought to their roles, a few performers particularly stood out. Maid Marian was absolutely brilliant and showed an impressive level of confidence and natural ability. She is clearly a very promising young performer, and it would be wonderful to see where her talent takes her in the future.

The adult Robin Hood was also excellent and, in my opinion, perfectly cast. Together, they provided a fantastic opportunity to showcase two very talented performers, and both certainly rose to the occasion.

The comic relief was another highlight, with some genuinely entertaining moments throughout. The brief singing with the ukulele, along with Steven’s contribution, brought plenty of fun and energy to the production and added to the enjoyment of the audience.

What impressed me most, however, was the confidence and commitment of the entire cast. Every performer played their part with enthusiasm, and I was particularly impressed by how well the younger children handled themselves on stage. It is no small achievement to perform in front of an audience, and they should all be incredibly proud of themselves.

The inclusion of Welsh-speaking elements was also a lovely touch. It fitted naturally into the production and added a sense of local identity, making the show feel particularly well suited to its setting.

Away from the stage, the theatre itself was clean and welcoming, with comfortable seating and a good selection of snacks and drinks available, including during the interval. These small touches helped make the whole experience feel relaxed and enjoyable.

Perhaps the greatest compliment I can give the production is the atmosphere in the theatre. Throughout the performance, the audience appeared completely at ease and engaged. It was lovely to see families enjoying the show together, with siblings cuddling up and parents sitting back, relaxed and entertained.

Overall, Robin Hood: The Legend of the Black Knight was a thoroughly enjoyable production that showcased an impressive amount of young talent. The cast performed with confidence, energy and enthusiasm, supported by effective lighting, a well designed set, fantastic costumes and some lovely production details.

There was a real sense of warmth and community throughout the evening, and it was clear how much work had gone into bringing the production to life.

With tickets priced at £10, or £8 for concessions, the production offers an affordable opportunity for families to enjoy a night of live theatre while supporting the next generation of young performers.

A huge well done to everyone involved, including the cast, crew and everyone behind the scenes. You should all be incredibly proud of what you have achieved.

Tickets are available on the Torch Theatre website.