Confluence

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Confluence
Choreographer Akram Khan and composer Nitin Sawhney
Luminato Festival/Sadler’s Wells
MacMillan Theatre
Jun. 16 to 18, 2011

Confluence is a retrospective of the work of long time collaborators and British superstars – contemporary choreographer/dancer Akram Khan and composer/guitarist Nitin Sawhney. It’s the big-ticket dance import at this year’s Luminato Festival, and it’s a match made in heaven.

The production contains excerpts from three shows – Kaash (2002), zero degrees (2005) and bahok (2008), as well as a new dance work. Confluence, however, is an entity unto itself performed by gifted artists at the peak of their powers.

Because the work is episodic, it is like a stream of consciousness moving easily between the spoken and projected word, dance and music.

The poignant text is about personal stories. The dance sequences are absolutely riveting, particularly Khan’s solos, each showing off his trademark speed and total physical control. Sawhney’s world beat, jazz-flavoured, north Indian/western fusion score is absolutely gorgeous.

Confluence is ultimately a parade of talented artists who touch the soul.

Confluence runs until Saturday at the MacMillan Theatre.