A Chester dance company performed at one of the world’s most famous venues yesterday (Friday, November 27).

Fallen Angels Dance Theatre danced a new full-length work, Upon Awakening, at the Clore Studio of the Royal Opera House to help transform the lives of people struggling with addiction.

Led by artistic director and former Birmingham Royal Ballet soloist Paul Bayes Kitcher, himself a recovered addict, the company has been working on the new production for more than 12 months with a cast that includes professional dancers as well as a number of people in recovery.

Paul said: “Upon Awakening is because I know from personal experience there are strong parallels within recovery and dance. In the same way a dancer keeps physically fit by taking class each morning, an addict has to do certain daily practices to stay spiritually fit and well.

“The difference for an addict, however, is that their life depends on it.”

Dancer and former addict Damian Stewart, forms the focal point in Upon Awakening and Paul hopes the work will break down the stigma surrounding addiction.

Damien Stewart (centre) in Fallen Angels production of Upon Awakening
Damien Stewart (centre)

He added: “I’m very passionate about using dance theatre as a vehicle to support, inspire and rehabilitate people on their journey to finding recovery. It can be extremely powerful.

“At Fallen Angels we hope to give a physical voice to recovering addicts and alcoholics, and aspire to bring light to dark places for those in the grip of addiction,”

Fallen Angels received funding from Arts Council England for the project, and worked in partnership with The Lowry and Addaction to enable the dancers to work with leading dance professionals, including movement director and choreographer Kate Flatt (Les Misérables, Turandot, Dr Faustus, Fiddler on the Roof and Chaplin).