Choreographer Matthew Bourne’s The Nutcracker is finally coming to town with a breathtaking array of awards and reviews, and Oxford is holding its breath to find out what he has in store for us this time. Here to tell KATHERINE MacALISTER all about it are his two main ballet leads Hannah Vassallo and Chris Trenfield.

What becomes clear, after speaking to Chris Trenfield and Hannah Vassallo, is that Matthew Bourne’s dancers adore him, not just as a choreographer or a visionary, or as their boss, but as a man.

They hold him in a reverence rarely seen in the dance world where sore feet, intense competition and rigorous touring schedules also mean frayed tempers and resentment. But not here. Matthew Bourne is a god in his own company, it would seem, as well as to his many fans.

So why do they love him so much?

“I think it’s Matthew’s art of mixing dance with storytelling,” Hannah says, “because ballet is entertainment, and while the audience wants to sit down and enjoy themselves, it also wants to be challenged and enter into a world you cannot see every day.

“And Matthew takes us away from reality and leaves it up to the audience to decide what they take from it.”

Or as Chris puts it: “Matthew Bourne is the link between classical ballet and musical theatre. It’s about telling a story rather than how well you can point your feet and jump, which is why Matthew has his own fans and his own following now. And the audiences speak for themselves – we sell out pretty much everywhere we go.”

Chris danced in Matthew Bourne’s all-male Swan Lake, so is used to creating ripples in the world of ballet and is delighted to be doing so. He’s also understandably proud to be hand-picked for some of the most sought-after parts in the dance world.

“Swan Lake and The Nutcracker are some of the biggest roles you can play in modern dance, so it’s really exciting to be in and a real experience. But even when we did Swan Lake we didn’t realise how much of an impact that would have, even when it was made into a film. And now it’s part of the GCSE dance syllabus and has totally reshaped the way people watch ballet,” he says.

Hannah has worked for Bourne since she graduated from dance school and, after a brief break, is back again and more enchanted than ever.

“It’s such a great honour to be part of. I’m very lucky,” Hannah says. “To work with such a lovely man and witness his creativity is such a great opportunity. It’s a very prestigious company with a huge following so it’s amazing to be involved. And just getting to dance for a living, when there are so many dancers who would love to work for him...so, yes, we have an in-built competitive nature, but it’s not as evil as people think!”

Even so, it’s also gruelling and tremendously hard work both physically and mentally. So how do they cope?

“It does take a lot out of you,” Hannah agrees, “and there are times when you’re holding on to the beams in the wings just trying to get your breath back. But that’s part of the job and you build up a lot of stamina. Put it this way, I wouldn’t be doing anything else,” she beams.

Chris agrees: “That’s why I make sure I go out and dance to the best of my ability every night. Because you are always looking over your shoulder. But it’s being in the company that’s the privilege. And there’s a lot more acting and character for people to get their teeth into. So this is a Nutcracker for all seasons. It’s the original turned on its head.”

“It’s a massive ensemble piece,” Hannah nods. “Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker is so exciting and beautiful, and there is nothing quite like it.”

* Matthew Bourne’s The Nutcracker opens on Tuesday, April 10, at Oxford’s New Theatre, in George Street, and runs until Saturday, April 14. Call the box office on 0844 8713020