A marriage of music & dance

Although there are some contrary modern dance types who will insist on performing in silence (and I've yet to see such a performance that isn't deeply pretentious), it's generally safe to assume that music is a key player when it comes to creating a dancework.

Given that, it's surprising that the kind of collaboration going on in Walker Dance Park Music isn't commonplace. Yet, this award-winning outfit, an associate company of the Royal Opera House, is virtually unique in giving choreographer and composer equal billing.

The democratic union between choreographer Fin Walker and composer Ben Park even extends to the fact that Silence Of The Soul, the duo's most ambitious piece yet, runs to seven dancers and seven musicians.

This symbiotic relationship is central to the company's philosophy, with the creation of original dance and new music deeply intertwined.

The combination has propelled Walker Dance Park Music rapidly up the dance league table. Essential to the mix is the fact that Park's driving music is played live, an element that adds dynamic impetus to Walker's deceptively pure brand of movement, executed by a group of performers who are among the best in the business.

Tonight until Fri, Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House, Bow Street WC2, 8pm, £12 and £15. Tel: 020 7304 4000. www.royalopera.org Tube: Covent Garden