Tangent Theatre Company was born out of the desire to continue a professional relationship between Jilly Bond and Peter Kesterton after the production of Peter’s first play, “Air Guitar” for Bristol Old Vic and SouthWest Scriptwriters. They collaborated on a number of projects – “University of Lies” and “One in a Million” for Radio Four and the staged reading of part of “Motorcycle Maintenance” at the Hampstead Theatre. Each of these pieces of Peter’s writing was directed by or featured Jilly. Their partnership culminated in the production of Peter’s play “Glasshouse”, at the Tobacco Factory in 2009, after a very favourable reaction to the rehearsed reading the previous year, which was part of the Tobacco Factory’s Script Space initiative.

Since then, Peter has moved away from producing, and has had his latest play, “Playing with Snails”, presented in Exeter at the Bike Shed, with great critical success. Jilly has retained her passion for new writing - the life-blood of theatre for the future - and is now exploring the interface between visual art and theatre, working with Martyn Wade, veteran of radio writing, on his new play, “The Most Gorgeous Lady Blessington”. The piece will play at the Wallace Collection, where Thomas Lawrence’s famous portrait of the lady hangs, for one night only, 12 October, prior to a projected UK and European tour.

Julian Gartside, a partner in Tangent Theatre Company since its inception, was an actor for 14 years, appearing regularly on TV in such series as “Casualty”, “Poirot”, “Morse”, “Bergerac”, “Jeeves& Wooster” (with Fry & Laurie!)and working in the theatre for the English Shakespeare Company and Kenneth Branagh’s Renaissance Theatre Company before changing careers. He brings his significant managerial experience in the NHS to his role as Producer for Tangent Theatre Company.

Ben Galpin joins the company as Associate Producer for “The Most Gorgeous Lady Blessington”. His work as an actor has included an award nominated production of “Ward No.6” in Edinburgh, touring Austria with Vienna’s English Theatre in “Romy & Julian” and playing Alex in BBC Radio 4’s Afternoon Drama “Qualms” alongside Toby Jones and Lesley Sharp. Ben also works as a freelance graphic and web designer under the name of Malvolio Media.