Company of Angels was set up in 2001 by John Retallack to foster and produce innovative theatre for young audiences. The company’s mission is to broaden the definition of theatre for young people through experimental projects and new productions of high artistic standard.
In recent years, the company has produced Hannah & Hanna, Crime and Punishment in Dalston, Club Asylum, Risk, Virgins and Truckstop, all of which helped to establish the company’s reputation for challenging, high-quality work.
The company not only produces shows but also initiates innovative projects and new models of work. Both Theatre Café Festival (2004, 2007 & 2008) and our Young Europe (2004) seasons have successfully brought new foreign plays to UK audiences; Asylum Seeker Narratives and its successor Project R are community schemes that directly involve young people; and the GAP Theatre Project, a unique peer-mentoring initiative, has been successfully adapted to both inner-city as well as rural schools in London, Cambridgeshire and West Berkshire since 2005.
Forthcoming projects include: Apples by Richard Milward, an outstanding first book (‘Catcher in the Rye meets the Arctic Monkeys’ The Times) adapted by John Retallack, currently in development with Northern Stage; Respect by Lutz Hübner, currently in development with Birmingham Rep and Theatre Café Festival 2010. Recent projects include: Sense, a series of 5 plays by the award winning author Anja Hilling, at Southwark Playhouse and Children in Wartime, 3 contemporary plays exploring this powerful theme, Company of Angels’ first co-production with the Academy of Live and recorded Arts (ALRA).

Company of Angels also actively nurtures and supports emerging artists through the Young Angels programmes and the Angels Associates scheme. 

Company of Angels has been a Regularly Funded Organisation of Arts Council England since April 2004.