LORD OF THE DANCE

As The Red Shoes returns to the stage, the choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne tells us about taking lunch with the late Queen

- INTERVIEW: ISABELLE CASEY

Sir Matthew Bourne has defined a generation in British dance, and now the Hackney-born choreographer is back in the spotlight with the return of The Red Shoes to Sadler's Wells.

Based on the classic 1948 film, the production is being staged by Matthew's six-time Olivier Award-winning company, New Adventures, with Ashley Shaw in the role of Victoria Page, the character made famous by Moira Shearer in the movie.

Matthew and Ashley are a dazzling combination: he is the recipient of a record nine Olivier Awards, plus two Tony Awards, and was knighted in 2016, while she has impressed in a series of leading roles, from Kim Boggs in Edward Scissorhands to Cinderella, since joining the company in 2009.

However, speaking exclusively to HELLO!, the Australian-born dancer says that no character has touched her quite like Victoria - a part she took on during the show's world premiere in 2016.

Here, Matthew and Ashley share details about the production, his entertaining brushes with royalty and how her world has been transformed thanks to the renowned dance director.

Ashley, what has being part of New Adventures meant to you?

"It has changed my life completely. It was my dream company coming out of school. I'm from Australia but I now live over here because of New Adventures - that's why I'm here.