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.

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.

RAPUNZEL, Prince Nathaniel of Neyland, Mother Gothel, Zephyr the Puffin, Periwinkle and Belinda Beehive brought the Torch Theatre stage to life over the festive period with the hair-larious, zany pantomime Rapunzel.

The professional cast, featuring plenty of local talent, delivered a high-energy production that delighted audiences of all ages from across Pembrokeshire and beyond.

Following the sell-out success of Beauty and the Beast and the hugely popular Jack and the Beanstalk in recent years, Torch Theatre Artistic Director Chelsey Gillard was once again praised for her latest production.

Torch Theatre community reviewers Val Ruloff and Liam Dearden said: “The script was buzzing with the humming sound of a swarm of jokes flying in thick and fast, bubbling to overflow (much like Periwinkle the Sea Sprite) and bursting with energy.”

They added: “The musical score by James Williams is superb. It is such a privilege to have original music composed especially for the Torch pantomime. The numbers brought the whole production to life all over again, just as did the costumes, sets, props, lighting and special effects.

“The music, in combination with the scenes and sets, gave rise to some great set pieces and double acts, including the fabulous Bay Wash pop/rock group in the making, featuring the vocal talents, phantom guitar and drum-playing skills of Prince Nathaniel of Neyland and Dame Belinda Beehive.”

Chelsey Gillard said: “It was uplifting seeing so many of you coming to see Rapunzel – from schools to families. We had more entries than ever into our design competition – over 400 – and we loved coming along on the Milford Lantern Parade.

“The whole company enjoyed having your help on their undersea adventure; booing, hissing, singing and dancing along.”

More than 3,000 school children from across Pembrokeshire saw the pantomime, with six schools successfully securing financial support to attend through the Arts Council of Wales Go and See Fund.

Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch, said: “We were thrilled to see our auditorium filled with so many young people this Christmas. We know that pantomime is often the first spark of theatrical magic for a young person.

“We are grateful to the Arts Council for recognising the important role we play in introducing young people to the arts and helping to make these visits possible. Our commitment to these students continues beyond the curtain call, as every school receives a dedicated resource pack to bring the themes of the panto to life in the classroom. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.”

With the festive curtain now closed, plans are already well under way for the Torch’s 2026 pantomime, Puss in Boots, featuring a whisker of Western adventure.

Audiences are invited to brush up on their line-dancing moves as Puss helps our heroes find fame and fur-tune in Wild West Wales.

An Early Bird offer is currently available for the brand-new pantomime, which promises original songs, hiss-terical humour and plenty of local references.

A Relaxed Environment Performance will take place on Saturday, December 19, at 2:00pm, with a BSL Interpreted Performance on Tuesday, December 22, at 6:00pm.

For more information or to book tickets, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on (01646) 695267.