Michael Clark Company, Barbican Theatre

Michael Clark occupies a special place in contemporary British culture. Now in his 40s, he has attracted an unusual range of admirers and detractors ever since he first took the dance scene by surprise in his rebellious youth. He dared put on stage the outrageous poseurs of the 1980s club underworld, hard-core music groups, radical designers and finely trained dancers - including himself, the best of all. Underlying the provocation was his own faith in the enduring beauty of classical dance.

After a long retreat to recover from his addictions, he re-emerged to find a berth at the Barbican as an Artistic Associate. Though he remains unpredictable, his mature work is must-see watchable. He creates slowly, adding sections to previous pieces, inviting maverick contributors from the art and music scenes. Last year’s programme involved a bizarre appearance by Jarvis Cocker, frontman of the band Pulp, and his electro-duo Relaxed Muscle, turning the short show into a rock gig. In the first half, to dreamy songs by the pop-punk band Scrittti Politti, eight dancers (and, fleetingly, Clark) meticulously performed deconstructed balletic routines. One reviewer called the experience a ‘beautiful, sexy, adrenalin rush of an evening’.

This autumn’s programme adds a third part to last year’s double bill. Clark is keeping his plans under wraps, beyond offering ‘A beginning, a middle and an end.’ But in what order? And to what music? You’ll have to find out.

Ticket price: £16- £42

Barbican map and Address: Silk Street London EC2Y

Nearest Tube: Barbican, St Paul, Moorgate, Cannon St