It’s all about spotting talent,” Christopher Marney tells me, having transformed Central Ballet since taking on the role of artistic director last summer.

“We came at it with fresh eyes by bringing in current people from the industry, rather than repeating what came before, and are selling out and getting a really good response.”

“So I still watch every show and marvel at the new dancers and how wonderful they are. They feel so fresh.

So what does he look for? “The most important thing is a passion for dance, not just a technical ability. The ones that seem to fly have a real presence, which is hard to replicate.”

But then having been spotted himself and taken on by Matthew Bourne, the two have a close relationship. “I worked with Matthew for years in his New Adventures dance company. He gave me my big break in the 90s, and he employs quite a lot of our students once they graduate so is very much part of the tour this year,” Christopher remembers.

So has it been hard to go from principal dancer to artistic director? “Central Ballet needed some new ideas and has had a major overhaul. I love the job, it’s fantastic and gives me great hope. I curate the show and choose the repertoire.”

It must be hard to be on the other side of the curtain for once though?“You take it all for granted as a dancer, you don’t think about whether you’ve got a full house or what it’s like for everyone out there. “But I’m also a freelance choreographer so I’m quite used to it. I don’t miss the performing because I’m challenged by the job in hand. I’m very satisfied.”

One of Chris’ biggest responsibilities is helping his graduates find work after they leave Central which is why he takes them on the road; to give them a taste of what it’s like to be in a dance company and work as a performer, to be a working professional and part of a team.

“It’s about making that leap, and the more you can push them the better, so we showcase their work on this tour and the choreographers and directors come to the shows to see who we’ve got and what they’re like, to hopefully employ them, so that’s a big part of my job.

“They are at their fledgling swan stage and ready to take the next step.”

So why would people come and see Central when they could go to a professional dance company? “We tour a wide range of venues, big and small and yet the quality is the same.

“It’s world renowned choreography with the stars of the future, which is why people like Sir Matthew Bourne and Christopher Bruce give us their work.”

The world of ballet has altered dramatically since Chris started dancing as well, the ratios of boys and girls equalling up, transforming the work available.It means we can do pieces like Dracula with a male cast without having to resort to cliched pieces where men lift girls in tutus, so it’s much more exciting from a choreography point of view.

“It’s moving dance forward and showing male fluidity and emotion rather than the traditionally macho roles.

“It’s a really interesting time in dance.”

Ballet Central

The Theatre Chipping

Norton, Friday June 9

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theatre.com