THE Richard Alston Dance Company is bringing a new performance to the Wycombe Swan, which will be only the sixth time is has been done in front of an audience. Burning is one of three dances being performed by the popular contemporary dance company to music by Franz Liszt and received rave reviews after it premiered in Edinburgh. Here Richard Alston talks to Freetime.

Do you read the reviews?

"I read them just in case there is something that is going to upset some of the dancers. They are also very important to help us to do everything to try and make sure people come and see us. You can't take that for granted. Good reviews are a real help as they give a verbal image."

What can people expect from your show in High Wycombe?

"There is a new dance called Burning by Martin Lawrance. It is just absolutely brand new. Its sixth performance to an audience will be in High Wycombe. We always try to bring something which is completely new. If a piece is really successful- sometimes we will do it two years running- this time we are bringing Overdrive, which we have done in High Wycombe before but not for quite a few years. We are trying to make sure there is contrast in the programme. It seemed important to have music which will contrast- Martin's piece has music by Franz Liszt; Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb and a Californian composer called Terry Riley for Overdrive."

You quite often visit The Swan - what do you like about it?

"It is such a great theatre for dance because the stage is so wonderfully big but the auditorium is very close. In very large theatres it is very exciting as the stage is very big and in intimate venues it is very exciting as the audience is so close. In High Wycombe you get both. There are quite a few young people around in that area who study dance. We always enjoy Wycombe. I can honestly say the audience that comes to see this company covers a broad range of ages."

What would you say to people who have never seen contemporary dance?

"I just think they should not be worried- they should be open. Time and time again people say to me 'I came with a friend and I didn't know anything about contemporary dance- I am just amazed at how much I enjoyed it.' I have to say this is a really wonderful group of artists- they are absolutely stunning- they get to dance a lot. We are not a dance company with a lot of drama. There is a lot of jumping and turning and dancing- that is very exhilarating. There are very few human beings who don't react."

When were you introduced to contemporary dance?

"A long time ago. I was at art college in the 60s. At that time a lot of dance companies used to come over from America... I really thought that was what I wanted to do."

What inspires you?

"I just love working with music. Music was my real inspiration- music makes you want to dance. Music is part of everyone's life. Movement is part of a young person's life which it was not in the 60s. But that has changed thanks to YouTube, Billy Elliott and the amount of pop now around."

How do you compose a dance?

"Both Martin and I start by listening to music. It has always been music that makes me want to dance. If I can't sit still to that I could get other people to not sit still to that. It sounds a bit obvious but it is true. Dance is a very instinctive art form."

The Richard Alston Dance Company is at the Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe on October 14 and 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £19.50 to £23.50 with a £1.50 booking fee. Call 01494 512000 or go to www.wycombeswan.co.uk.