Choreographer and Strictly Come Dancing presenter Craig Revel-Horwood; musician and award-winning writer Bob Stanley; and Welsh singer-songwriter and rising star Betsan will take to the stage for Hay Festival After Hours: Cardiff this November.
Taking place at The Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) in Cardiff on Thursday 12 November 2026, 7.30pm, Hay Festival After Hours: Cardiff promises a one-off night of conversation, performance and provocation, bringing the magic of the world-famous Festival to the Welsh capital.
The festive evening will see a trio of distinctive creative voices come together to celebrate a world of different. Craig Revel-Horwood discusses the history of pantomime from his latest book The Book of Panto; musician and writer Bob Stanley will explore the stories behind the Christmas charts (The Twelve Songs of Christmas); while Welsh singer- songwriter Betsan will perform her latest EP Awst. The night will be followed by book signings from Craig Revel-Horwood and Bob Stanley.
Tickets are on sale now at hayfestival.org/afterhours
Founded in Hay-on-Wye, Wales in 1987, Hay Festival provides audiences with dynamic platforms to come together to share ideas, different perspectives and to provoke conversations that can create a better world.
After Hours events take place thanks to the support of the Unwin Charitable Trust, widening access to the important conversations and performances that take place on our stages year-round. Events also took place at the Bristol Beacon and Birmingham Old Rep Theatre earlier this year.
Craig Revel Horwood said:
“I’m thrilled to be joining Hay Festival After Hours Cardiff for what promises to be a brilliant, festive evening. It’s going to be a fabulous night!”
Hay Festival Global CEO Julie Finch said:
“We’re delighted to bring another Hay Festival After Hours to the Welsh capital once more. After Hours is a chance to experience a snapshot of the world-famous Festival in one magical evening with a very special line-up. As a charity, we are committed to bringing thought-provoking and inspiring conversations to as many audiences as possible. See you there!”
Wales Millennium Centre Head of Arts and Engagement Emma Evans said:
“Storytelling is at the heart of what we do at Wales Millennium Centre, so bringing Hay Festival: After Hours to our stage feels like a natural fit. We’re proud to be part of Wales’ cultural landscape and to create opportunities for audiences to encounter brilliant writers, ideas and conversations from Wales and beyond. This promises to be a lively and inspiring celebration of the power of stories.”
Artist bios
Craig Revel Horwood is an Australian-British dancer, choreographer, theatre director, author and former drag queen. He has been twice nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer. Since 2004, he has served as a judge on the BBC dancing series Strictly Come Dancing. His latest book The Book of Panto, traces the moments that turned him from a sceptic to a whole-hearted fan of – and advocate for – panto, as he follows its journey from ancient, international roots to its current status as a beloved British phenomenon.
Bob Stanley is a British musician, journalist, author and film producer. He is a member of the indie pop group Saint Etienne and a music journalist for outlets such as The Guardian, NME and The Times. His latest best-selling book Let’s Do It: The Story of Modern Pop charts the history of the modern pop era.
Betsan is a Welsh soul and jazz-influenced singer-songwriter based in London and Cardiff. Drawing inspiration from artists like Olivia Dean and RAYE, Betsan is quickly making a name for herself in the UK’s pop scene. Featured on BBC Radio Wales Welsh A-List, her recent Welsh-language single Awst reflects on grief, friendship, and showing up for the people who matter most.