Contemporary dance has a reputation for beauty not political depth or social comment.

But choreographer Christopher Bruce has managed to fuse these seemingly polar qualities in his dark and chilling creation, Ghost Dance.

Inspired by human-rights violations in South America, Ghost Dance was written as a tribute to the oppressed people of the region.

The violations came to Bruce's attention during the Seventies when the world's Press reported Augusto Pinochet's bloody coup against the elected Allende government of Chile.

But it was his meeting with Joan Jara, the widow of the musician and composer Victor, who was tortured and murdered by Pinochet's forces, which caused him to choreograph Ghost Dance.

Her feelings of sorrow and angry determination helped Bruce understand the shadow of death that many ordinary South American people live under. But far from presenting these people as victims, Bruce empowered them by allowing them to fling spirit and personal pride into the face of their bleak destinies.

Bruce says: "The dance came about because of the stories I heard first-hand about the situation in Chile. I just wanted to make a dance piece which told of the innocent people who were caught up in the violence. It shows that no matter how often you knock people down, they will always stand up again."

Ghost Dance is performed to haunting folk music which is played and sung live by the company's own orchestra.

The dark tones of the music anticipate the fate of a group of villagers who are terrorised by a trio of grisly spectres.

Despite the horror of the attack, the peasants determinedly dance before eventually succumbing to disease or oppression.

Human-rights themes have provided Bruce with a strong source of inspiration.

His dance Swansong is based on the interrogation of a prisoner by two guards and is supported by Amnesty International.

Cruel Garden is about the death of Federico Garcia Lorca at the hands of the Fascists in Spain.

"Social and political themes emerge naturally as a reflection of my concerns," he explains. "My first aim is always to create a piece of dance, rather than to make a statement. Nevertheless, I do not see a conflict between creating interesting movement and tackling difficult issues.

"There is much beauty in Ghost Dance, just as in the First World War poems of Wilfred Owen."

Bruce remains a passionate advocate for the role of dance in society and believes it can enrich lives and also create a civilising influence.

The dance Hurricane (performed to the Bob Dylan track of the same name) will also be performed.

It tells the story of African American boxer, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, who became an American icon when he was released after 20 years' wrongful imprisonment.

Also on the bill is Richard Alston's Unrest and Cheese by the late Jeremy James.

Tickets prices start at £8.50. Call 01273 328488.