Third Angel

An Announcement From Third Angel

In July 2023, after nearly twenty eight truly incredible years, Third Angel will be hanging up its wings and the company will close.

It’s not been an easy decision. Over the past couple of years the Artistic Directors, Rachael Walton and Alexander Kelly, have been reflecting on their artistic practice and thematic interests, and have taken the decision to stop working together. As their collaboration is at the heart of Third Angel, the Trustees agreed that the charity should close.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the years, the work we’ve made, the people we’ve met and the places we’ve visited; Third Angel will always hold a special place in my heart and has been a major part of my life. However, over time, Alex and I have inevitably grown and changed both as people and artists, and it feels as though this is the right time to pursue our own individual paths. I’m excited to see what the next chapter may hold, the future opportunities, collaborations and potential new projects.”
Rachael Walton

“It is bittersweet bringing Third Angel to a close. Of course there’s a sadness, but there is also so much to celebrate. Rachael and I got to make the theatre we wanted to make, and to share our work all over the UK, and around the world. We made a lot of friends. We know we made a difference to audiences and participants, because they have told us so many times. I think we did it our own way. I hope we did it with kindness and care. We collaborated with, and mentored, so many brilliant, inspiring people. I am looking forward to those relationships continuing and exploring new projects in different contexts.”
Alexander Kelly

Receiving the news that the company would not be an Arts Council England regularly funded organisation from April was a significant factor, but it was not the deciding one.

“As trustees, my colleagues and I, and our predecessors over the company’s history, have been fortunate to work with an inspirational, dedicated and imaginative creative team. We are privileged to have been the custodians of Third Angel’s vision, mission and values, and are proud of the company’s achievements and track record, which we believe have realised these aspirations through innovative work with a truly diverse range of publics, practitioners, participants and peers.

We are fully supportive of the difficult decision of our Artistic Directors, Alexander Kelly and Rachael Walton, to embark now on different artistic journeys, and for Third Angel to close therefore, believing this is the right course for their creative futures and those of the creative team. This is a moment to celebrate an important and unique contribution to contemporary theatre practice, and to the cultural ecology of Third Angel’s home city, Sheffield.” 
Adrian Friedli, Chair of the Board of Trustees

The company’s community offer and its programme for young people, Future Makers, will continue to run as planned, with a final performance in the summer, as will our existing mentoring projects. The company will be concentrating on bringing other projects to a positive close and ensuring the physical and digital archive is secure and accessible.

The team would like to thank everyone who has come to the shows, talked or written about the work, commissioned and booked it, funded our community projects and supported us in so many ways over the years.

And finally, thank you to all the amazing, brilliant, inspiring and committed collaborators, participants and partners who have worked with us. We learned so much from you and couldn’t have done it without you.

The Third Angel Team and Trustees
24 February 2023

Header image: FuttFuttFuttPhotography