10 December 2025

Channel 4, S4C & Little Wander are excited to announce the third iteration of Comedy Lab Cymru, a development programme for Welsh (and Wales-based) comedy talent.

Applications are now open, with a 12 January deadline.

The programme aims to create new opportunities for emerging Welsh (and Wales-based) talent in comedy and TV, providing artists with paid development time, professional mentorship, industry masterclasses and opportunities to broaden their knowledge and experience of the comedy industry.

The selected writers and performers will be paired with mentors to work on comedy pieces to be showcased to audiences and  S4C and Channel 4 commissioners at the Machynlleth and Aberystwyth Comedy Festivals in 2026.

6 participants will be selected for the programme, with at least half of participants working in the Welsh language. We expect the selected participants to be at various stages in their careers and we are committed to tailoring the programme to suit their individual needs.

2025 participants included Mel Owen (mentored by Anna Jordan), Cerys Bradley (mentored by Molly Naylor), Harri Dobbs (mentored by Freya Parker), Fflur Pierce (mentored by Carys Eleri), Carwyn Blayney (mentored by Tom Parry) and Gruffudd Owen (mentored by Dan Thomas).

Throughout the year, they worked on sitcom scripts, stand-up sets, an interactive choose-your-own-adventure show and a sketch show. Last year we had participants working on a musical comedy and a multimedia show - we can’t wait to see what next year has in store.

Both the 2024 and 2025 participants have said that the programme has helped them with their writing and performance skills, as well as networking and industry experience. They have come out of the programme with pitch-ready sitcom pilot scripts, hour-long stand-up shows, radio writing credits, increased industry recognition, and much more.

"Being a part of the Comedy Lab provided me with an excellent opportunity for structured mentorship, which really gave me the floor to ask questions I’ve felt too silly to raise in the past! Low key jealous I can’t do the scheme all over again!” - Mel Owen, Comedy Lab Cymru 2025 participant

“The mentorship was invaluable. I gained so much working one on one with my mentor. The programme both made sure that I actually wrote my script but also that the script is so much better under her guidance. I also gained a lot from the workshops, we got to hear from a lot of different perspectives on the industry. My favourite thing, though, was meeting all the other people on the programme. I talked to a lot of them about my show and performances and I'm really glad I've made those connections which I hope will last beyond the programme.” - Cerys Bradley, Comedy Lab Cymru 2025 participant

“I would recommend Comedy Lab Cymru to everyone who can apply. I have got so much out of it, from meeting amazing people in the industry, getting to write and perform in superb showcases and collaborating with really funny, talented people.” - Carwyn Blayney, Comedy Lab Cymru 2025 participant

Welsh Language

At least half of participants will be working predominantly in Welsh. Participants will be able to prepare material in both languages to present to both broadcasters but must choose a primary language and broadcaster when making their application. Support is available to new Welsh speakers, learners, and those with little previous experience of performing in Welsh.

The application form can be found here: littlewander.co.uk/comedy-lab-cymru