For most of us concocting the perfect fight would probably end with a night in the police cells.

For Malcolm Ranson it ends with a pay cheque at the end of the month.

That's because Malcolm's title is fight director and he's been tasked with the epic job of designing the fight scenes for one of Birmingham Royal Ballet 's latest instalments, Cyrano, which is coming to Sunderland Empire next Friday and Saturday.

"My job is to choreograph the fight scenes and teach the actors, or in this case dancers, how to execute the moves as realistically as possible."

Used to working on stage plays, the ballet presented Malcolm with a different challenge.

"This is the first ballet I've ever worked on," he said. "Most of the dancers picked it up quite quickly and easily because they're used to being physical, but the problem arose when we started doing the still work. But in the end we did fine."

Set in 17th century France, Cyrano tells the tale of an extraordinary man blessed with a big heart, a big mind and an even bigger nose.

Lady Roxanne is in love with the dashing cadet Christian De Neuvillette. In a bid to capture his heart she enlists the help of her cousin, poet and soldier Cyrano De Bergerac, who delivers a love letter to him not realising Cyrano is in fact in love with her.

But Christian can't read or write and begs Cyrano to read Roxanne's letters and reply to them. Soon he is penning letters for his pal of such brilliance that Roxanne falls under their spell. But will Cyrano tell her the truth?

"There are two fight scenes in this show – one long one and another shorter one," Malcolm said.

"The thing about Cyrano is there's so much that can be done. There are all sorts of positions you can get the people in.

Malcolm has worked as fight director on more than 100 stage productions, and his TV credits include Casualty and Blackadder and in film he has worked on Oklahoma and Twelfth Night.

Before Cyrano hits the stage next week, Birmingham Royal Ballet brings Quantum Leaps to the Empire. Made up of three one-act ballets, Powder, E=mc2 and The Centre and its Opposite, the show explores speed and mass.

Quantum Leaps can be seen on Wednesday and Thursday and Cyrano from Friday to Saturday. Tickets cost between £10.50 and £24 and can be bought by phoning 0844 847 2499 or online at www.sunderlandempire.org.uk