Frances Myatt can hardly sit still when she meets me to discuss her upcoming project, the 24 Hour Dance. Its concept is simple – on Saturday night a group of dancers, choreographers and musicians will team up to create a dance show from scratch based around an as of yet unannounced theme, in a mere twenty-four hours. She immediately casts aside any doubts I have about the quality of a performance created in such conditions. “The dance will be an exciting, one-off event, and a chance to see some raw, original choreography,” she impresses upon me. “We have a dedicated group of very high quality dancers and choreographers who will be able to produce some stunning pieces in the limited time they have.

“The 24 Hour Musicals and Plays have been a big success in the past, and have provided an incredible opportunity to showcase new ideas.”

She is also keen to stress the diversity that the performance will provide. Although the Cambridge University Ballet Club are organising the performance, the show includes all kinds of dance, such as hip-hop, tap, contemporary, jazz and even rhythmic gymnastics. The music (performed by live pianists – a rare thing for Cambridge dance performances) will also range from classical to modern and all things in between.

“One of the nice things is that it involves lots of different Cambridge dance groups, including Anglia Ruskin students and non-university dancers,” she adds. “It’s not limited to one society or style.”

Elena Natale, president of Homerton Dance Society, is also involved in the performance as a dancer and choreographer. “I'm excited for the dance show because it’s an opportunity to take a break from the hectic Cambridge life for 24 hours,” she tells me. “As the French philosopher Voltaire said: ‘Let us read, and let us dance’ and so I think this in an opportunity to embrace the dance side for a change!

“I know the  preparation will be tiring, but I am confident that the end result will be amazing.”

Daphne Chia, a former champion gymnast from Singapore, is similarly enthusiastic.

“I'm a rhythmic gymnast by training and did ballet when I was a kid, so it's really great to be back doing dance here in  Cambridge. I'm very excited for the 24 Hour Dance as it's the first time I have heard of such a concept in dance, and I think the time pressure element will test our creativity and push us to put on an even better show for the audience!”

The 24 Hour Musicals and Plays are established and well-loved events in the Cambridge theatre calendar, and I’m curious as to what prompted the Cambridge University Ballet Club to recreate the format with a dance show. As Myatt points out: “If you don’t normally go to dance performances, it’s a great way to dip your toe in the water. The performance is relatively short at just over an hour, and gives you a great cross section of the Cambridge dance scene.”

When I cheekily ask if she can tell me the theme, she naturally refuses, but does hint that it involves “a much-loved Cambridge institution”. The theme will be announced publicly at 8pm this Saturday, and if you join the Facebook event you can receive updates throughout the day on the creative process - the theme, the choreography and so on.

Myatt is in a rush (as she tells me she always is these days) to get to another meeting, but she has one final thing to emphasise.

“It’s a really special chance for the audience, not only to see the finished piece, but to engage with the creative process. We’ll be posting photos and video clips on Facebook throughout the 24 hours to give a glimpse behind the scenes and reveal all the creative preparation work that is normally hidden from the public eye. It’s going to be a crazy 24 hours, but all of our dancers and choreographers are incredibly talented, and I’m confident the final performance is going to be stunning!”

The 24 Hour Dance will take place at 8pm on Sunday 8th, at West Road Concert Hall. You can book tickets here.

To find out more about the Cambridge University Ballet Club, visit their website.