The Wayside/Riff

Laila Diallo creeps onstage in plimsoled feet, her delicate frame encased in a oversided anorak. She then wriggles and writhes out of the jacket, her movements exuding energy and vigor.

First in a double bill, The Wayside sets a high standard. Choreographed and performed by Diallo, the piece is themed around the ideas of departure and loss. Absorbed in memories and pausing for moments of reflection, Diallo subtly commands the stage, her movement perfectly in tune with the essence of the piece.

The choreography is expertly executed throughout. And, because the lighting and sound are inobtrusive,Diallo herself takes the credit for creating the many and varied textures of the piece.

Samples of work from choreographers William Forsythe, Shobana Jeyasingh and Laila Diallo, are skilfully fused together by choreographer and performer Mattias Sperling to create Riff, completing this contemporary double act.

From the off, the excerpts are easily distinguished with help from a Tube station screen, flashing up the name of each choreographer to match the movement. As the piece develops, it becomes a guessing game as the pace quickens and the screen begins to flash up fragments of letters and a jumble of names.

At this point, Sperling is powerfully slicing through the space, seamlessly interlinking the physical bursts of movement. An innovative approach to choreography, Sperling manipulates the three different styles with ease and succeeds in constructing an eclectic and impressive piece.

Cutting edge and complimenting each other perfectly, Sperling and Diallo have succeeded in creating a fresh and exciting showcase of contemporary dance.