{ Waiting room }

A theatre group has received a good luck message from actor Michael Sheen.

Penarth Operatic and Dramatic Society (PODS) was wished 'every success' by Mr Sheen as it prepares to represent Wales at the British Final of the One Act Play Festival.

In a video message, Mr Sheen said: "Hello, I want to send all best wishes to Penarth Operatic and Dramatic Society as they go off to represent Wales in the one act British play final next month.

"Good luck, pob lwc. Very best wishes."

Mr Sheen, known for his long-standing support of grassroots theatre, has spoken about the importance of the arts in building community. He has previously said: "Theatre began as a way of bringing people together in a shared space to have a collective experience. "It’s where we express what our values are, what our beliefs are, what our priorities are, and find a shared understanding. "Experiencing that together bonds us and connects us. "The arts are essential for maintaining community bonds and processing shared experiences." Mr Sheen first established his reputation on stage and has received four Olivier Award nominations. He is also known for his acclaimed screen roles, including his portrayal of Tony Blair, for which he received Emmy and BAFTA nominations. PODS is representing Wales after winning the national final with All By Myself, a comedy by Robert Scott. The group began its journey at the Glamorgan Drama League Festival at Chapter Arts Centre in April and went on to win the Welsh final against five other theatre companies. The British Final brings together winning amateur theatre groups from Wales, England, Scotland, and Ireland.

PODS has enjoyed recent success with a sold-out run of We Will Rock You at the Paget Rooms in May. The society’s youth section, PODyS, will perform Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr next week, while rehearsals are already underway for Hi-De-Hi, set for October. Other upcoming productions include the annual pantomime Robin Hood and Cole Porter’s musical Anything Goes, scheduled for next May.

Michael Sheen's "entirely unpredictable" Welsh sci-fi confirms first UK screening

Simon Ryninks' debut feature Out There has confirmed its first UK screening as part of this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival competition lineup. The sci-fi film starring Michael Sheen has been described as a "joyous celebration of eccentric outsiders" and "a heartfelt story about belief, finding meaning, and coming to terms with loss".

Also starring Iwan Rheon, Aneurin Barnard, and Alice Lowe, Out There follows a teenage space fan who spots a UFO flying over her Welsh seaside town.

A synopsis reads: "Still grieving the disappearance of her scientist father, amateur teenage astronomer Maz (Nerys Amber Stocks) is convinced she has spotted something suspicious hovering above her sleepy Welsh hometown.

"Recruiting the support of her best mate Little Elis (Tom Moya), UFO-obsessed conspiracy theorist Bryn (Barnard) and local psychic Shifty Gruff (Sheen), Maz and her gang of misfits set out to uncover the truth, one that is far more complex than they might have expected.

"Breathlessly paced, wittily evoking its early 2000s setting via superb music choices, costumes and production design, this charming Welsh debut from director Simon Ryninks is poignant, funny and entirely unpredictable."

The film has its world premiere at EIFF on 14 August, with further screenings on 15, 16, and 18 August.

The cast is rounded out by Olivia Southgate, Remy Beasley, Matthew Aubrey, Gwydion Rhys, Daniel Whelan, Rory Kelleher, Vee Vimolal, Lola Waters and Tesni Kujore.

Speaking ahead of the film's screening, Ryninks said: "I’m thrilled that this film will premiere at the 79th Edinburgh International Film Festival. Out There is a deeply personal film, rooted in Wales and its unusual extraterrestrial history.

"This legacy inspired me to write a very human story with an urgent question at its core: how do we engage critically with people’s beliefs while still trying to understand where they come from?

"That question feels especially important right now. Above all, the film is a comedy and a joyful celebration of eccentric outsiders, and I hope audiences have a great time watching it."

Out There was developed by the BFI and Ffilm Cymru Wales alongside the TIFF Filmmaker Lab with funding from BFI, Ffilm Cymru Wales, and Welsh Government via Creative Wales and the Arts Council of Wales using proceeds from the National Lottery.

Bridgerton - Season 4

After three seasons, Netflix’s Regency-era juggernaut Bridgerton shook up its formula when it shifted its focus to Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) for Season 4. The second son has no plans of settling down until he meets the mysterious lady in silver at his mother’s masquerade ball. This beguiling woman is none other than Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), a maid who snuck in just to experience a night on the inside of society. What starts as Bridgerton’s take on the Cinderella trope evolves into a forbidden love story that changes the fabric of the show forever.

For three seasons, Bridgerton kept its focus on the elite of the Ton. Audiences had gotten familiar with the formula. That’s why Sophie is such a breath of fresh air for the series. With her, Bridgerton was allowed to explore a new facet of this world we’d gotten used to. Plus, past seasons have crumbled under the weight of balancing different storylines across the show, and certain seasons’ couples have gotten lost in the shuffle as a result. Season 4 found a way to balance the secondary storylines in a way that helped strengthen Benedict and Sophie’s love story.

Speaking of which, Thompson and Ha anchor this season, balancing the fantasy-like wonder of falling in love with the dramatic weight of societal expectations. Add in some Pride & Prejudice aesthetics in the countryside and a heartwrenching storyline for Francesca (Hannah Dodd), and you’ve got a season that reinvigorates this romance series. Romance is having its own moment on TV this year, and Bridgerton Season 4 kicked it all off. — Meredith Loftus

Also:

“Bridgerton” Season 4 (Netflix)

"What do you think your co-star brings to this story that no one elso could have?"

Photoshoot for Masters of Sex.