A Chester woman who describes herself as “a big risk” is looking forward to performing at a top London venue later this month, ahead of playing to a home crowd.
Chellie Hughes, 54, who is registered blind, will perform with Fallen Angels Dance Theatre at a sold out show at the Royal Ballet & Opera in Covent Garden, before two autumn dates in Chester and Liverpool.
And Chellie, who is originally from Wrexham, credits the weekly dance sessions she has taken at Storyhouse with Fallen Angels over the last four years with keeping her safe when she herself had a fall.
Former Royal National College for The Blind student Chellie explains:
I was on a trip to London with my amazingly supportive partner Sue, and we were messing around taking pictures in Trafalgar Square. I was posing against a giant sculpture of an ice cream, when I lost my footing and plunged down eight stone steps.
"My visual impairment means it's not the first time I've done this," she said. "I took early retirement from my work for an NHS alcohol recovery service in 2021 when a fall at work left me with a fractured skull and I lost my confidence.
"But this time," she said, "thanks to my dance training, it was different.
"My partner screamed and I realised I was in mid-air. But I managed to swivel my body so I fell forwards not backwards. Amazingly, I landed on my feet and walked away with just a grazed knee.
Chellie, who lives with two genetic eye conditions, retinitis pigmentosa and Stargardt's disease, says that the worse her eyesight becomes, the more important it is for her to keep moving.
All of us, as we get older, need to work hard to keep strong and improve our balance," she said.
"Otherwise, it's downhill all the way. But for me, it's even more important as my poor vision makes me much more likely to fall. And if I can't get up again, then what?
Chellie says her visual impairment, combined with ADHD, makes her “not the easiest” student dancer to teach, but that the 'beautiful team' behind Fallen Angels couldn't be more accommodating.
I've told the dancers that they are OK to just grab me and manipulate my limbs into position so I can learn the moves," she said.
"Sometimes they grab my head, or twist me around like a rag doll, which sounds terrible, but it really isn't, because there's so much mutual trust. And it's the best way for me to learn.
Chellie says she feels “so honoured” to dance with Fallen Angels at upcoming three autumn dates in London, Chester and Liverpool.
For the company to think I'm good enough is mind blowing for me," she said.
"Before Fallen Angels, my only experience was dancing on brandy and Babychams in a nightclub, but I've now been sober for 16 years.
Fallen Angels 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 groups offer people in recovery from addiction or mental health issues access to quality dance and movement sessions.
Eight group members, including Chellie, have been rehearsing with three lead artists, including internationally acclaimed choreographer Russell Maliphant ahead of their autumn performances. Between them, they have created a trio of short pieces, collectively billed as Holding Light.
The three works each offer a different perspective on recovery journeys, from navigating everyday struggles to the healing power of community and the human instinct for rebirth. According to Fallen Angels, they are ‘courageous and honest stories of lived experience that are rarely seen on stage’. All three performances will include audio description.
Most of the cross-generational performers have no formal background in contemporary dance. All started their Fallen Angels journeys at free weekly sessions run by the arts and recovery organisation at Storyhouse and Liverpool Everyman. Two professional dancers - Arianna Sansone and Jo Freeman- will join the group on stage
Holding Light is at Storyhouse Chester on 24 September 2026 during Recoverist Month and Liverpool Everyman on 17 October 2026. It follows 2023's sold out Traces Through Time, a collaboration with New Note recovery orchestra.
Music is by sound artist and composer Feri Gyemant and costumes by Alena Kudera. It is supported by Arts Council England, The Linbury Trust, Ernest Hecht Charitable Trust and Big Give Art for Impact.
Partnership support comes from Storyhouse, Royal Ballet and Opera, and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse.
The performance lasts one hour and also includes a behind the scenes film and insights.
I'm an 'against the odds' kind of dancer," Chellie said.
"I'm 54, well-upholstered, severely visually impaired and have previously broken both my legs, but I just feel the fear and do it anyway!
"To me, I'm the biggest risk in the group, but if Fallen Angels believe in me, then maybe they're right.
Holding Light by Fallen Angels Dance Theatre
24 September 2026 7.30pm
Storyhouse Garret Theatre, Hunter St, Chester CH1 2AR
Tickets: £8-£12
T: 01244 409 113
https://www.storyhouse.com/whats-on/fallen-angels-dance-theatre-present-holding-light/
