The Fallen

The Fallen is the latest creation from Third Bite Dance, a bold and powerful new performance that explores both physical and emotional “falls”- from the loss of physical strength to the emotional complexities of aging, highlighting the personal and societal struggles that come with it.

Falling is typically seen as a negative event, something that causes pain and costs the NHS millions. Older bodies on the floor evoke concern. But what if we reimagine the floor as a space of possibility? What if older bodies fall not out of weakness, but out of play, curiosity, and strength? Age is not only about physical decline but about falling in and out of love, falling into despair as our bodies and minds change, and falling in love again with our creativity. It’s about the fury we feel when we confront both our personal limitations and society’s attitudes towards aging. As fourteen older adult performers take the stage, the performance will rise from the groundedness of their bodies, capturing the full spectrum of human emotion.

Through a captivating blend of movement, spoken word, and imagery, The Fallen invites audiences to witness a visceral exploration of the embodied experiences of aging. Choreographed by Third Bite Dance Artistic Director Lucy Haighton in collaboration with the company, the work focuses on the experiences of older adults, centering the lived experience of those often overlooked or misunderstood in mainstream performances.

Funded by Arts Council England Project Grants

"Nuanced and sophisticated, I loved the range of strong emotions and that an obviously older cast aren’t ’doing’ old age or reminiscence"

(audience member)

Read our article in the Sheffield Tribune by company member Frances Byrnes about joining the company and developing The Fallen

Seated woman performer with arms outstretched, shouting and looking powerful, wearing white shirt and brown trousers.

Woman performer standing very straight and wearing neutral coloured clothes next to a male performer lurching from a chair wearing bright red shirt and shoes, watched by a group sitting in chairs behind

10 performers all standing in a straight row across the stage, wearing colourful clothes and black knee pads, looking as if waiting for action

Single woman performer, wearing black shiny top and trousers, arm outstretched with an impassioned and sad look on her stage lit face

Male dancer lying on the floor, head towards the front of stage and legs under a chair. Female performer wearing dark clothes and squatting on the chair, is blowing across her raised palms towards the recumbent man, as if trying to raise him from the

Three woman performers striding towards the front of the stage, left arms raised in front of their bodies, shouting and looking powerful

Photo credit: David Lindsay

The Fallen performed at Dance to Health

Photo credit: Laura Page

Audience Responses

"Nuanced and sophisticated, loved the range of strong emotions and that an obviously older cast aren’t ’doing’ old age or reminiscence"

"Oh it was wonderful. It was so well produced. So well rehearsed. It was very very good"

"I felt so energised, by the totally different atmosphere of the piece. I thought it was so sharp re performance - and you were funny in exactly the right way. Empowering. This was / is special"