REVIVED and revitalised, Phoenix Dance Theatre are on their first tour under artistic director Darshan Singh Bhuller, with a spring in their step.

The Leeds company with the appropriate name have risen again, returning with a re-branding that sees 'Theatre' introduced to their title.

When they visit York Theatre Royal next week for the first time since their 19 Rewind Come Again show in November 2000, Phoenix will present a triple bill of narrative and boldly abstract dance from both sides of the Atlantic.

Jerwood Prize winner Fin Walker and New York choreographer Jeremy Nelson have created new works that draw upon the Phoenix trademarks of explosive energy, sinuous strength and passion, while Darshan Singh Bhuller's blend of live dance, film and haunting music by Jocelyn Pook travels through grief to the soaring hope of new love.

Leeds-born Darshan had found himself taking over the remnants of a company whose staff numbered precisely three: two in the education department and an executive director, who was on maternity leave.

"I think Phoenix had had an awful lot of financial problems and artistic problems, meaning that they had not been going in an interesting artistic direction," says Darshan. "It's taken an awful lot of time to build up the administration team, marketing and the production team, as well as getting the dancers...and I wasn't used to doing all that. Before, I was used to just inviting people through auditions!" says Darshan.

The Phoenix challenge amounted to an open field, a blank piece of paper and myriad possibilities. "For me, I wouldn't have been interested in just taking over someone else's company. It had to be a new beginning.

"That's why the people who first chose the name Phoenix couldn't have chosen better because Phoenix keeps rising again. First it was an all-male, all-black company, then female dancers were allowed to join; now everyone is welcome," says Darshan. "There will be people who say that the identity of the company was black dancers, but I wasn't interested in running a black company.

"There was talk about changing the name completely, but the name has been there for over 20 years, so it has built up a brand, but what I have done is change it from Phoenix Dance Company, which sounds administrative.

"We've chosen Phoenix Dance Theatre because we work in theatres, we practise theatre, we dance in narrative forms and the name has that sense of a partnership with theatre."

The first touring fruits of Phoenix's new labours introduces Fin Walker's abstract style of choreography to Yorkshire audiences. "I'd seen Fin's work in London, and it's very angular, very violent dance," Darshan says. "Fin's the big rising star of the underground world and I felt it would be nice for her to step up to working with a repertory company - and it's great to work with someone just before they become absolutely huge. Fin's just about to work for Ballet Rambert so this is a good stepping stone."

Darshan was not only seeking a contrast between more abstract work and his own style of choreography but also a combination of experienced choreographers and new names in the triple bill. Hence Fin and Jeremy and Darshan. "With Jeremy Nelson, I've known him as a fellow dancer for many years. He'd gone to the States to study this new way of working and I thought it would be good for him as a choreographer to work with a bigger budget and in bigger theatres."

Meanwhile, Darshan himself is looking forward to Phoenix's return to the Theatre Royal. "It was the theatre where I made my debut with the London Contemporary Dance Theatre, in a triple bill as it happens, in 1979," he recalls. "So I have a special relationship with that theatre and it's nice to be bringing in my own work now."

Phoenix Dance Theatre, York Theatre Royal, April 29 and 30, 7.30pm. Tickets: £10.50 to £14.50; for tickets ring 01904 623568.

Updated: 10:33 Friday, April 25, 2003