Following an amazing first year, Little Wander, S4C and Channel 4’s Comedy Lab Cymru is back…
The three organisations are continuing their partnership to deliver the scheme for emerging Welsh – and Wales-based – comedy writer-performers, providing career development opportunities and opening the door to future creative commissions.
The selected artists have been paired with mentors to work on comedy pieces to be showcased to Channel 4 and S4C commissioners at the Machynlleth and Aberystwyth Comedy Festivals in 2025 with the intention of developing this work into future TV projects.
The scheme – formerly known as the Artist Development Programme – provides artists with paid development time, professional mentorship, industry masterclasses and opportunities to broaden their knowledge and experience of the comedy industry.
“My time on the Little Wander Artist’s Development Programme gave me access to incredibly valuable opportunities at an early stage in my career. I learnt a lot about the industry through workshops, forged exciting connections through my mentor and pushed myself to write and perform an hour long bilingual show at Aberystwyth. I would recommend the program to any aspiring Welsh comics” – Laurie Watts, S4C Artist Development Programme Participant in 2024
Six artists have been selected for the programme. Half of them will work predominantly in Welsh, showcasing to S4C, and half will work predominantly in English, showcasing to Channel 4. The artists have the opportunity to work in both languages throughout the programme.
“As a newbie, I found Little Wander’s Comedy Artist Development Programme an amazing opportunity to learn from professionals, experiment with ideas and to try something new. And to showcase my work at Machynlleth and Aberystwyth Comedy Festivals was daunting, nerve-racking but, most importantly, a whole load of fun.” – Iestyn Jones, S4C Artist Development Programme Participant in 2024
Artists selected for S4C:
Harri Dobbs is a bilingual comedian from Caerphilly. When he’s not misconstruing Welsh history or hosting podcasts, he leads audiences all around Wales through a bilingual adventure game where every choice is the wrong one. He’s written for stage, radio and film despite not being able to spell misconstriw.
Fflur Pierce is a Welsh stand-up comedian who began performing in 2022 and has since made waves with a comedic style blending observational humour, storytelling, and cultural insights, she brings the unique perspective of an autistic, LGBTQ+ working-class woman to the stage.
Gruffudd Owen is a poet, playwright and script writer originally from Pwllheli. His debut comedy drama ‘Parti Priodas’ (A Wedding Party) toured Wales with Theatr Cymru in 2024. He lives in Cardiff with his family where he survives mainly on a diet of cold coffee and the bits of toast his children kindly dropped on the floor.
Artists selected for Channel 4:
Mel Owen is an award-winning comedian with writing credits on Netflix, BBC Radio 4, Channel 4 and BBC One. She created one of Wales’ most listened-to podcasts Mel Mel Jal, as shortlisted for a British Podcast Award, and co-presents the highly acclaimed Welsh politics podcast For Wales See Wales. Following her sell-out Edinburgh Fringe show, Mel is looking to expand her written work by leading her own scripted project.
Cerys Bradley is an autistic and non-binary alternative comedian. Described as a “great storyteller” by the Guardian, their award-winning work uses improv, audience participation, and props to explore queer and neurodivergent experiences. They have performed on Dave and BBC Wales and their stand-up for comedy central and BBC Sesh has received millions of views on TikTok and Facebook.
Carwyn Blayney grew up in rural Ceredigion, but has been living in London now for the past three years after graduating from the National Film and Television School’s Comedy Writing Diploma. As a stand up, his achievements include reaching the Final of So You Think You’re Funny? doing Tour Support for Elis James, performing numerous times on S4C and he is the current holder of Welsh Unsigned Stand Up of the Year. He has comedy writing credits on BBC Radio 4, Radio Scotland and Radio Wales, and has recently appeared in S4C’s Sitcom Pilot RSVP and will soon be appearing in Ar Led, also on S4C.
Carwyn returns to the programme, having stepped in at the last minute last year after another participant had dropped out. He now has the opportunity to complete the full year programme.
