The secret of my success: Kim Brandstrup

Leading Danish choreographer Kim Brandstrup is known for his innovative approach, which involves translating Greek myth, Shakespeare and even detective film into dance performance. His company, Arc, is returning to Sadler's Wells for performances of The Return of Don Juan on 1 and 3 March.

I started dancing late, when I was 19. I was studying film at the University of Copenhagen. Hitchcock is one of my idols. He had the ability to tell stories - life, sex and death, serious subjects - in a way that was direct and immediate. What excited me about dance was not just the physical activity of the class but that it could be a strong communicative language, revealing a mixture of emotion and character.

I formed my own company, Arc, when I was 27 because I wanted to develop my own sort of approach. I was interested in the expressive side of dance and telling stories and this was not really trendy in the Eighties. It might have been an advantage that I started late and had a certain naivety. I didn't come with any baggage so anything was possible.

Now the dance world has opened, the borders between classical and contemporary dance have softened up and that makes it possible for me to work with ballet as well as contemporary dance companies.

My advice for anyone wanting to be successful in dance is to see as much as you can and pursue what excites you. You have to push, you have to be single-minded and not worry too much whether what you do is possible or not.

The success of Arc and my work is due to the immediate appeal of a narrative. Of course, luck and tenacity play an important part in any success. There are always hard times. I have a core group of friends who have shared my vision and it is due to the support of this loyal group of collaborators - dancers, musicians and designers - that we have achieved what we have. This sense of community and support has been just as important to me as luck and tenacity.