Apples

JOHN RETALLACK is the artistic director of Company of Angels, and has written and directed a number of plays in recent years. John was formerly director of Oxford Stage Company (1989 - 1999) where his adaptation of Melvyn Burgess' "Junk" won the TMA Young People's Award in 1998. His Shakespeare productions for Oxford Stage Company toured internationally and won widespread critical acclaim over a period of ten years. He was the founding director of Actors Touring Company (ATC) (1977 - 85). His work has been awarded several prizes, including a SWET award in 1983 and a Herald Angel at the 2001 Edinburgh Festival. Other plays include: "COMPANY OF ANGELS: Hannah and Hanna; Virgins; Risk; Club Asylum."

"Catcher in the Rye meets Arctic Monkeys."--"The Times" "This superb stage version of Richard Millward's debut novel is - like an underage Trainspotting - an upbeat and sometimes even joyous affair that suggests that for all the trials and tribulations of the teenage years, the kids are probably going to be OK."--Lyn Gardner, "The Guardian" "Adaptor and director John Retallack's version works very well. Anyone wanting to understand - or, at any rate, to begin to understand - the pressures young people face in growing up at the bottom of our society's heap should see Apples. But don't expect an enjoyable evening of theatre - moving, illuminating, superbly well done, certainly, but "enjoyable" is definitely not the right word!"--"British Theatre Guide" "A superb stage version of Richard Milward's debut novel... It's a funny-sad, ugly-beautiful night out, nicely performed by its young cast and swirling with the sweaty, dirty poetry of everyday life. 4 stars"--Lyn Gardner, "The Guardian" "A neat, pacey production ... A rollercoaster ride through adolescence in all its frantic, anxious, smeary, glittering glory."--Alice Jones, "The Independent"