Binoche dances to a different tune

Juliette Binoche will begin rehearsals for her debut contemporary dance show at The National Theatre next month.

The French actress, who won an Academy award for her performance in The English Patient, is collaborating with British choreographer Akram Khan for the one-woman show.

The 43-year-old is taking a break from her film career to spend "a year or two" on the project, which will open in the autumn. It will feature her dancing and Khan playing the guitar and singing.

Binoche, whose acting career has spanned 25 years, including memorable roles in Three Colours Blue and Chocolat, has never received any formal dance training, so will need to be taught from scratch by Khan.

The Balham-born Bangladeshi artist has choreographed sections of Kylie Minogue's Showgirls tour and is an expert in contemporary and classical disciplines.

Binoche said: "I haven't filmed since June because I am training for my dance show - I am learning to dance. I love the challenge of not knowing. I don't want to come to him [Khan] with too many things but I'm working on a sort of vocabulary, so we have some elements."

Khan is currently in China working with the country's National Ballet troupe.

A spokesman for the National said talks had begun for the show to begin in September.