dance

Kim Brandstrup is a big fan of revivals - which is just as well because he and his company Arc will be presenting two of them at Sadler's Wells next week. "They give me the freedom to do one new work and have the back-up of the earlier works." The new work will make up a double bill with either the 1989 Orfeo or the 1994 Othello. When Brandstrup made Orfeo (with Tracey Fitzgerald, below) six years ago, he was unusual in wanting to conform to a narrative structure. "Narrative was a bit of a naughty word, but it interests me. I suppose it's my background in film." That said, he is careful to choose stories that are already familiar. "The basic premise is that you cannot tell a story in dance. Unless you have a very elaborate programme note it's impossible; you can only interpret it."

The last story retold by Brandstrup was Othello, which he crafted on the unique gifts of Irek Mukhamedov. The role will now be taken by the black dancer Kenneth Tharp, an artist of very different strengths: "He's more youthful and has more innocence." Not only will Tharp's interpretation of the hero be very different, the whole balance of the work will be changed by having a less starry star.

The one new work in the programme, Saints and Sinners, was inspired by the charming Mexican custom of having a party for your dead relations once a year on 2 November: "Your dead ancestors come back to celebrate, drink, eat and dance with the living. You bring out their favourite foods and you play their favourite music." Personally, I can think of nothing worse than a day spent eating Battenberg and listening to Liberace, but perhaps dead Mexicans have better taste than my relations.

Arc Dance Company, 8-11 March 8pm. `Orfeo' and `Saints and Shadows' 8 & 11 March; `Othello' and `Saints and Shadows' 9 & 10 March.

Sadler's Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London EC1 (071-278 8916)