Water

Viva Dance Company—The Rachel Browne Theatre

Confession: I’m not a huge modern-dance fan. Ballet’s more my style (aka I’m older). So, be warned, not a great critic of it.

Still, I’ve seen a fair amount of MD over the years and around the world, and this brilliant piece by Edmonton’s young VIVA company is the best I’ve seen in 20 years. Maybe ever.

Simply off the charts for creativity, choreography, athleticism, poise and execution. And all the things you (might) hate about contemporary dance — pretentiousness, willful obscurity, arrogance, wince-worthy music — is just gone from this stunning tribute to the universality of … water.

Execution? The synchronization is simply superb. The true test of that always comes in the last 15 minutes of an hour-long show when the 8 dancers are dead on their feet. This troupe never missed a beat. And there are no stars here — they all seem equally talented — although one dark-haired dynamo (tats on the back of both legs — can’t miss her) might be the strongest of an intensely acrobatic team.

There are 2 more performances of Water — 5:30 Saturday and 7 pm Sunday. Run, do not walk, for tickets. The best dance performance at this year’s Fringe (I’ve seen all of them). By far.

John Sullivan