Fever on the dance floor

Richard Alston plans to intoxicate audiences with sensual movement

In November, Richard Alston's Dance Company celebrated their 10th birthday. The company is preparing to mark the milestone with a nationwide tour beginning at the Regent Theatre, in Stoke-on-Trent, on 18 January and running until April, calling at Sadler's Wells for four performances from 23 February. The show will feature two new pieces, "Gypsy Mixture" and "Such Longing" alongside reworked versions of "Fever" and "Shimmer" and "Charge", an ensemble piece by company dancer Martin Lawrence. With influences and music ranging from gypsy folk rhythms to Monteverdi, and from Vivienne Westwood to Chopin, audiences can expect a heady sensual mixture combined with Alston's trademark innovative choreography.

Alston describes music as his "major passion" aside from dance and he travels the world in search of musical inspiration. "Over the last 10 years, because I've been able to do nothing but my own work, I've really been able to dig deep into what makes my heart beat, which is the relationship between dance and music," he explains. The use of widely different musical genres is a crucial element in the development of Alston's art: "I try to refresh myself by going to very different areas of music."

"Gypsy Mixture" is performed to a remix of the guttural cries of a group of Balkan singers. Although heavily influenced by traditional folk dances, Alston has updated them with crisp, edgy beats. "It's not about caravans and telling fortunes. It's about a group of people who become very close as they travel and dance and music are a very important part of their lives."

"Such Longing" is set to a selection of Chopin's Nocturnes and Etudes, which will be played live by the pianist Jason Ridgway. Alston has chosen Chopin's most introspective, melancholy and emotionally loaded works. The piece is still in the process of creation and Alston admits that he is "scared to death because the music is so beautiful". The tour includes fresh versions of "Fever", a series of duets set to Monteverdi madrigals, described by Alston as "complete and utter sensuality"; and "Shimmer" a "sun-drenched and luxurious" piece set to Ravel.

Julien Macdonald, the catwalk designer whose spangled creations are usually barely covering the modesty of red carpet belles, created the cobweb-like tunics for "Shimmer". Alston also cites Vivienne Westwood, with her signature style of "putting unlikely things together - floral prints and checks" as the inspiration for the costumes in "Gypsy Mixture".

This willingness to embrace varied artistic influences is the key to Alston's success. He began his career 30 years ago and, as the 10-year anniversary of his company passes, Alston shows no signs of slowing down: "I love being in the studio. I still love what I do. The body has got older but I haven't lost the curiosity that I had when I was younger."

Tour begins 18 January, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, then continues to 23 April (www.theplace.org.uk)