THE Jigsaw dance performance is entering its sixth year, bringing together on stage young people with disabilities, able-bodied school pupils, and dance students. I watched the matinee performance, along with a packed house of primary school pupils from across the county.

The theme this year was the elements, and the stimulus was a set of poems written by Herefordshire children, working with acclaimed poets.

The backdrop to the dance pieces was a series of striking photographic images, and live music added to the high energy of the show. There was no interval, which made the piece quite long, but also ensured that the whole performance flowed extremely well. For the first time, a sculptor had worked with some of the groups, and the results were displayed in the foyer for visitors to look at.

It was clear that director Michele Holder had built up a good relationship with the young people involved. The performers used their bodies and their wheelchairs in remarkable ways and there was no squeamishness about disability. This was genuine integration, and the dancers displayed a real sense of pride in their work.

The real strength of the show was the choreography, which was superb.

The audience, made up largely of under 10s, was mesmerised by the intricate moves and the inventive use of space. At times, there were large numbers of children on stage, and their well co-ordinated movements produced a strong emotional response in the audience. There were also isolated moments that were breathtaking. The Seasonal Changes' performance by Emma Pryce and Keith Brain was beautifully executed and challenged the viewer to reconsider any prejudices about disability.

The original live music was outstanding, seamlessly shifting from the fluid and beautiful improvised piano of internationally renowned Dhevdas Nair, accompanied by Manu Song's mesmerising percussion, through the vivid musical shapes and dramatic effects of local composer Andrew Morris and into the pulsating rhythms of drum and bass masters Dubmerge - throughout, superbly responding to and reflecting the moods and atmosphere created by the dancers.

The technical side of the show was faultless: the fact that the show held the attention of a packed house of primary school children is testament to the hard work of the whole production team. One of the primary school children commented to her teacher as she left: "I absolutely loved it. I just wish I had been up there with them."

Sarah Laws