Actor Binoche said tough critics helped dance show

Oscar-winning French actor Juliette Binoche said Tuesday she welcomed the critical mauling her new dance performance received when it opened in London, as it sparked improvements in the show.

Binoche, best known for her roles in films like "The English Patient" and "Chocolat", had never danced professionally before she took to the stage with top British choreographer Akram Khan in their show "In-I".

The performance was panned by critics when it opened at London's National Theatre last September, with The Times describing it as "intermittently excruciating".

The actor, who underwent around two years of arduous training for her role, said the tough assessment helped refine the show.

"I think that criticism is a good thing because it teaches you to (ask) some questions. So when it came out in London, that was quite exciting," she told reporters in Hong Kong ahead of a performance of the show.

Binoche said the pair had continued to work hard on the performance -- which is billed as a tribute to love -- and the effort had resulted in glowing reviews in Paris, Montreal and Sydney when it toured.

"I have never had critics before (as good as) this," she added.