Fallen Angels Dance Theatre, the UK’s only company providing dance theatre productions and experiences for people in recovery from addiction and those living with mental health conditions, is proud to announce Kevin O’Hare CBE, Director of The Royal Ballet, as its new Patron.  

The announcement comes as the company is busy behind the scenes fundraising and campaigning to realise a talent development programme leading to performances of a new work launching at the Royal Ballet and Opera in September 2026 before touring to Chester Storyhouse and Everyman Liverpool thereafter. 

Over the last ten years, The Royal Ballet has provided vital support to Fallen Angels Dance Theatre through organisational support, performance and collaborative opportunities. As Patron, Kevin will continue to champion the company’s commitment to empowering people in recovery from addiction and those living with mental health adversity through creative opportunities. 

Kevin O’Hare said: ‘Since first hearing about the incredible work that Fallen Angels provide, both in performance opportunity and in the care shown to those in recovery, I wanted to give all support possible to their ventures. It has been extraordinary over the last decade to watch the development of the company and to see how it impacts so positively on people’s lives. It is also inspiring to see how their work breaks down barriers and opens up much needed discussion in this area. Paul’s leadership and creativity have been vital to the company’s growth and I am honoured as Patron to continue to show support of his wonderful initiative.’ 

Fallen Angels Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director, Paul Bayes Kitcher, added: ‘We are absolutely honoured that Kevin has agreed to become our Patron. His support continues to be invaluable to us and our mission to support those in recovery to transform their lives through the power of movement and dance. We are excited to see where this opportunity will take us.’ 

2026 is a really exciting time as it marks a shift in the artistic approach for Fallen Angels, bringing together two international dance artists, producing three uniquely diverse pieces of choreography devised through a talent development programme for FADT recovery artists from Chester and Liverpool hub groups. The creation of an ambitious production aims to push boundaries, bring new perspectives on recovery, challenge stigma and leave the audience with a sense of connection and hope. 

This year’s transformational project will culminate in full-scale performances at the Royal Opera House, Storyhouse and Everyman Liverpool aiming to challenge stigma around addiction recovery and disability.  

Led by Artistic Director Paul Bayes Kitcher, a former Soloist with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Chester-based Fallen Angels Dance Theatre has been at the forefront of recovery arts for 15 years. The company places Paul and the dancers’ lived experiences at the heart of its work in community, recovery and criminal justice settings and in its productions that have been performed on stages across the UK and digitally. 

The announcement coincides with the Fallen Angels Big Give Arts for Impact Campaign, a seven-day online match funding campaign supporting arts and culture charities working to achieve societal impact across the UK, run in partnership with Figurative Philanthropy for Arts & Culture (FPAC) for 17th – 24th March 2026 (midday).  

Where supporters can donate towards the campaign, it will be doubled by match funds provided by Big Give’s Champion partners. Fallen Angels Big Give Campaign page is now live: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS00000AwLSwYAN however, donations will only be accepted between 17th – 24th March (midday). 

Fallen Angels Dance Theatre on stage at Royal Opera House in 2023. 

Image Credit – Point of View Photography

Kevin O’Hare congratulates Fallen Angels Dance Theatre and New Note Orchestra after the sell-out performance of Traces Through Time at Royal Opera House in 2023, pictured here with Fallen Angels Director’s: Paul Bayes Kitcher and Claire Morris.

Image Credit – Point of View Photography