Mavin Khoo, considered to be Britain's most exciting dancer, has included Malta in a tour programme and his latest production Chandra/Luna will be staged at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta on Friday and Saturday.

Born in Malaysia, where he began his dance studies at a very early age, Mr Khoo is now an established soloist and choreographer.

With a strong background of training in classical ballet, Bharata Natyam and contemporary dance, Mr Khoo has wooed audiences across the globe with his sensuous elegance and athletic exuberance.

In autumn last year, the UK Foundation for Dance launched and produced a new national touring company, Mavin Khoo Dance, to highlight the talents of Mr Khoo and his four dancers.

Mavin Khoo Dance will be performing its new production Chandra/Luna in Malta at the invitation of the British Council.

The production embraces ballet with modern dance coupled with the sinuous power of classical Indian dance.

Chandra/Luna, which opened last month in the UK, draws its inspiration from the moon and its influence on human life, a mystic and mythological presence that has in its turn inspired poets, philosophers and astronomers.

Mr Khoo told The Times his desire to do a project about the moon came from wanting to explore the concept of the planets, specifically to create a series of related dance pieces dealing with the Zodiac pattern, which is referred to in Hinduism as the Navagrahas (nava = nine, graha = planet).

"There are nine Hindu planets, not all of which have western counterparts," he said.

"Mavin Khoo Dance is a very personal expression because it brings together, within one artistic entity, all the aspects of my life: a materialist London of dance studios, clubs and post-modernist freedom with the orthodox formality, spirituality and ritualistic self-discipline of India or Malaysia."

Mr Khoo and his company are looking forward to performing at the Manoel Theatre "especially because of Malta's fascinating history and the very different experiences that have created it as a modern nation.

"Perhaps that is something Mavin Khoo Dance shares in common with Malta! I can't wait to see what the audience think. I hope they will be both surprised and entertained," he enthused.

Mr Khoo said he tried never to have any expectations of a particular audience but concentrated on offering every audience the best performance he could give.

"Every audience will bring to the show their own 'baggage' - experience, cultural background and expectations - but I think artists are in danger of compromising their work if we start to worry about possible different reactions," he pointed out.

When asked about the major influences in his life, Mr Khoo said there were so many who played a major role at different stages. These included his dance guru in India, Adyar K. Lakshman, his ballet coach in London, Marian St Claire and Merce Cunningham at whose studio he studied contemporary dance in New York. "All kinds of great dancers and performers, from Pavlova and Nureyev onwards! I think that one is always influenced by something or other," he added.

"Right now, I am extremely influenced by the rhythm and dynamic of the young Londoner - the hectic life of a very exciting and buzzy metropolis. On the other hand, in December I return to India for a couple of months and this always changes my feelings as I reconnect with the life and people there.

"I always wanted to embrace and study all the qualities I admired in dance, so I had a whole range of mentors, some of whom I've mentioned. Each gave and gives me something very specific.

"Today I think my mentor is myself. It has taken a long time for me to trust my own instincts, whether artistic or personal."

Booking is now open.

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