Momentum Lab.

Labordy Momentwm / Momentum Lab is an experimental movement research project at the intersection of dance, aerial circus and site-specific performance based at Small World Theatre, West Wales, curated by Jess Allen. It brings together a diverse group of performing artists from across Wales/Europe with a particular and extraordinary expertise in the use of momentum in human movement to share and develop skills, explore the architecture of the space, and create radical new aerial/acrobatic vocabulary unconstrained by current circus norms.

The Project.

From 8-14 January 2026 Momentum Lab brought together a small group of extraordinary artists into an extraordinary space for aerial circus in West Wales. These were performing artists from Wales and Europe with a particular expertise in the use of momentum in human movement in relation to:

  • bodies (contact improvisation, breaking, capoeira)

  • structures, surfaces & sites (parkour, site dance, climbing) 

  • vertical aerial apparatus (rope, straps, sling, harness, bungee)

  • non-Western movement forms (African dance, hip-hop, capoeira)

Across this initial residency week they utilised and explored the aerial apparatus and architecture of the space with the intention of:

  • sharing expertise, techniques, ideas and insights around the use of momentum in each practitioner’s movement form (aerial circus/harness, breaking, contact improvisation, parkour, capoeira, African dance)

  • analysing and translating momentum-based techniques across disciplines

  • generating novel aerial circus vocabulary outside of current forms/norms

  • challenging existing aerial circus/dance aesthetic constraints (including the eurocentric/Western-dance aesthetic which currently dominates aerial circus) in relation to these acrobatic forms

  • repurposing aerial rigging in new ways to support this work

  • documenting process through film, both as output and iterative part of process

You can view the documentation and read reflections on the process in Outcomes.

Outcomes.

This is experimental movement research, so the intention was not to produce work for performance at this stage rather to give space for exploration without expectation. The documentation shared here is intended to give a sense of the scope of these explorations as well as the aesthetic and dramaturgic potential of the material generated; a rich seam to be mined and refined for future performance.

The Artists.

  • Bunmi Odumosu

    Bunmi Odumosu is a Cardiff-based physical performance artist whose work combines dance and multiple aerial disciplines, including aerial straps, rope, and trapeze. She developed her dance and movement style from teenage, combining Afro dance and street dance/hiphop styles. She started her circus aerial and capoeira journey in 2013 and eventually started combining her movement styles with aerial. She has performed across the UK for Upswing Aerial, Kitsch & Sync, Bassline Circus, Wales Millennium Centre and at Glastonbury, Greenman and Shambala Festivals and Christmas shows in Speigeltents.

    She has also participated in two science, aerial, and movement combination research projects in Wales and Lithuania. She brings a wealth of passion and energy to all of her performances and uses movement as a form of expression. She often shares a taste of her African roots with African inspired movements in her physical performances. When she is not performing, she works as a chemical engineer.

  • Charles Auguste

    Charles Auguste is an independent performer whose high-energy work blends parkour, breakdance, contemporary dance, and circus arts. His performances explore the body’s dialogue with urban spaces, transforming everyday environments into dynamic stages. With a focus on physicality and improvisation, he creates raw, collaborative pieces that challenge how we move and connect.

    Commissioned by Hermès and NOWNESS, Charles has showcased his work at venues like Candid Arts Centre in London and Kunstmuseum Ravensburg. As a workshop leader, he’s shared his approach to movement at institutions including UMA Academy in Geneva, Hal 5 in Leuven, and HSINGHO in Taiwan, empowering students to discover their own physical singularity.

    Drawing from visual arts, music, and poetry, Charles’s practice is versatile and interdisciplinary, inviting audiences to rethink the boundaries of performance.

    Photo credit Alyssa Jarjoura

  • Hugh Stanier

    Hugh Stanier is a highly experienced performer, movement educator, facilitator, and bodyworker, with over 20 years of international teaching in contact improvisation and contemporary dance.

    Starting his dance journey in breakdancing, Hugh transitioned into contemporary dance, studying at Northern School of Contemporary Dance. He has since performed with acclaimed companies such as Wim Vandekeybus/Ultima Vez, Tom Dale, TrashDollys and 2Faced Dance, and is passionate about helping others explore the transformative power of movement. 


    “I find a deep connection to the importance of ‘not knowing’ when I’m dancing. I find this incredibly reassuring and it helps me to deal with the uncertainty and insecurity so prevalent in the world we live in today… Whether it is improvisation, contact improvisation or a choreography, my focus and intention lies in finding the joy and power of a very physical movement practice connected to presence, awareness and breath.”

  • Jess Allen

    Jess Allen is an aerialist and movement artist from West Wales. She creates performance and film, often using aerial apparatus (rope, sling, harness) or aerial skills in curious juxtaposition to sites, spaces, objects and pedestrian movement. She trained as a dancer with a focus on improvisation, somatics and site-based performance and has worked as an aerial harness performer (counterweight/ bungee) for Blue Eyed Soul, Everybody Dance, Full Tilt Aerial Theatre and Invisible Circus.

    Now specialising in dynamic rope and sling, she coaches internationally online and as part of the team at Syrcas Byd Bach, the circus school at Small World Theatre. Other teaching credits include MAAC, Nofitstate Circus Village, Circus Mobility (aerial circus), and University of Manchester (site specific performance).

    She has a PhD in microbiology and a PhD in activist performance, producing performance that has been presented at TaPRA, Royal Geographical Society, Afon and SPILL Festival of Performance.

    Photo credit Leia Morrison

  • Alex Rowland

    Alex is a freelance dance artist based in the North East of England. His movement practice stems from breaking and contemporary dance techniques. He has an extensive professional performance career with over 15 years experience working with dance companies, independent choreographers and agencies around England such as Surface Area Dance, TrashDollys, Dance City, Logiudice Dance Company, Southpaw and many more.

    Alex has recently started to use the medium of filmmaking and photography to express his interest in dance with DYCP funding from Arts Council (2021). Off the back of this he has received commissions from Breaking Conventions, Real to Reel (2023) and showcased his work at 'The late shows’ (2023) at Dance City’s Newcastle, Just Jam, international Breaking Event (2023), ‘Dance on Screen’, Forum Cinema, Hexham, and Days Dance Chania International Contemporary Dance Festival in (2023) Greece.

    Alex’s passion for teaching dance has been at the forefront recently, regularly teaching young people on Centre of Advance training (CAT) street dance at Dance City ages 8-18 and one of the lead teachers for Dance City youth Breaking crew ‘Break City’.

    “I am passionate sharing my knowledge and skills to young people and using dance to build on new skills, promoting high level dance training, creative self expression, community building and good health and well-being”.

    Photo credit: Emma Drabble for 2Faced Danced

  • Simon Edwards

    Based in North Wales, Simon is a performance rigger and rigging consultant with extensive experience in rock climbing and mountaineering. His expertise is built on a professional background in climbing and rescue, holding the highest UK-based climbing and mountaineering qualification (WMCI) and membership with the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI). Simon has volunteered with the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team and is a qualified first aider with extensive experience in both urban and remote emergency care.

    Simon applies the problem-solving aspects of climbing and rescue to aerial performance rigging. While he works in traditional theatres and performance venues, his specialised expertise lies in harness rigging for site-specific locations, including cathedrals, trees, mountains & sea cliffs, and other non-traditional performance structures.

    Simon thrives on the challenges of rigging from unique environments, collaborating with choreographers and performers to bring artistic visions to life. His own experience in harness work gives him a deep appreciation for the aesthetics of movement and performance

Background.

In January 1972 Steve Paxton initiated the now ubiquitous dance form contact improvisation through a piece of movement research Magnesium.

A score in which 11 male dancers/gymnasts threw themselves and each other into the air, collided, caught and fell onto the floor.

“They tried not to work with any ‘learned’ dance vocabulary but simply from reflexes…the raw materials were the physical forces of gravity and momentum… and the consequences of all these actions”.

Five decades later, Momentum Lab was inspired by this concept, drawing on the substantial knowledge that has since been developed in acrobatic movement fields and bringing it into contact with aerial apparatus, modern aerial rigging and all the possibilities that these provide.

Momentum Lab is Magnesium reimagined, with rigging and ropes.

Why is it radical?

Currently most movement research in aerial circus is done BY aerialists or circus-trained artists with the all the pre-existing vocabulary/aesthetics/trends of that form fixed in their bodies.


Labordy Momentwm // Momentum Lab is radically different because it brings together highly skilled and curious acrobatic practitioners from adjacent forms (but with the support of a rigger and aerialist with a background in non-stylised movement and task-based performance) to create wholly new ideas about how this apparatus can be used in relation to space, structures and other bodies.

Support.

Labordy Momentwm // Momentum Lab is funded by Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru // Arts Council of Wales and supported and partnered by Theatr Byd Bach // Small World Theatre.