Where did it all go right for Belt Up?  Barely out of university, the four directors of this attention-grabbing company are already living the young thespian's dream.  Receiving a prestigious award from the Edinburgh International Festival on their very first trip to the Scottish capital, they've now scooped what might be the most sought-after prize of all: a chance to pursue their ambitions full-time, thanks to a residency at the York Theatre Royal.

I chatted to Belt Up just after taking in their latest work, A Ghost Walk, which saw me careering around the streets of York in search of a lurking spectre.  In this, the first part of a wide-ranging conversation, we discussed their transition from student life to a resident company, and their new experiments with interactive theatre in York.  I also heard some fascinating insights into their growing relationship with C Venues in Edinburgh - and we dug a little into the thinking behind their spectacular 2008 Fringe debut, the Red Room.

Click here to listen to the interview (Part 1, 17 minutes) >>

Or if you'd prefer to download the audio file and listen in your own MP3 player, get it here.

In the second part of the interview, Belt Up reveal their plans for the rest of the year - including full details of an ambitious schedule for the Edinburgh Fringe.  You can find the rest of the interview here.

• My review of A Ghost Walk at the York Theatre Royal
• A reflection on Belt Up's 2009 Edinburgh Fringe