Eight community dancers from Liverpool, Chester and Wirral who are in recovery from addiction or mental health challenges will take to the stage at Liverpool Everyman this October in a new production exploring resilience, recovery and hope.
Holding Light, by Fallen Angels Dance Theatre, comes to Liverpool following a sold-out premiere at the Royal Opera House.
The performers, aged from their 20s to their 70s, spent six months working with choreographers Russell Maliphant, Alice Godfrey and Paul Bayes Kitcher to create three short dance works inspired by their own experiences.
Most of the community performers have no formal background in dance, while others are reconnecting with the artform as part of their recovery.
The pieces explore different aspects of recovery, including everyday struggles, the importance of community and the process of rebuilding a life after adversity.
The dancers began their involvement through free weekly sessions held at Liverpool Everyman and Storyhouse in Chester. Their preparation has included somatic dance, a movement practice focused on physical sensation and individual expression.
Professional dancers Arianna Sansone and Jo Freeman will also join the community performers on stage.
Claire Morris, co-founder of Fallen Angels Dance Theatre, said: "At the heart of Holding Light are the voices and experiences of people in addiction and mental health recovery.
"Through Fallen Angelsβ unique co-creation process, performers draw on their own journeys to create work that is honest, courageous and deeply human."
Music for the production is by sound artist and composer Feri Gyemant, with costumes by Alena Kudera. The hour-long performance will also include behind-the-scenes film and additional insights into the project.
Fallen Angels Dance Theatre was founded in Chester in 2011 by professional dancers Claire Morris and Paul Bayes Kitcher, a former Birmingham Royal Ballet soloist who has lived experience of addiction and recovery.
The company's previous production, Traces Through Time, also premiered at the Royal Opera House and combined dance, live music and spoken word.
Holding Light will be performed at Liverpool Everyman on 17 October 2026 at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at Β£15.
