Participants from Fallen Angels Dance Theatre joined a nationwide project with a number of regional recovery arts organisations in seven UK cities to create a short film which was broadcast via social media on 31st August 2021, Overdose Awareness Day. Over 50 individuals in recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol came together to create the film which remembers those that have been lost to overdose.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event each year that raises awareness of overdose and helps reduce the stigma of drug-related death. It acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends by remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury because of drug overdose. It also aims to spread the message that overdose death is preventable.

Each year around 5000 people die due to drug overdose in the UK, often leaving loved ones with more questions than answers. Started in 2018 in Brighton and led by participatory theatre company Small Performance Adventures, ‘Overdose Awareness Day Live’ has grown to include more locations each year. Demonstrating the scale and desire to mark the day around the UK.

Participating organisations:

Small Performance Adventures, Brighton / We Are Not Saints, Brighton

Our Space, Theatre Royal, Plymouth

Bristol Drugs Project, Bristol

Fallen Angels Dance Theatre, Chester

New Note Orchestra, Brighton

The Men’s Room, Manchester

TiPP, Manchester

Geese Theatre, Birmingham

Outside Edge Theatre Co, London

Edit Sweet, Brighto

Photo credit: Paul Bayes Kitcher

This project in 2021 was also the first time Fallen Angels Dance Theatre worked with New Note Orchestra (NNO). NNO, the first orchestra in the world designed to support people affected by addiction are collaborating with FADT on a ground breaking production; Traces through Time. See our What’s On page for details.

This article is an updated version of one shared in August 2021.

Photo credit: Paul Bayes Kitcher