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Midnight Tango, Aldwych Theatre - review
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01 February 2012
Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace hang their tango showcase on a narrative thread - twinned tales of a boy overcoming his sleazy rival to win the girl, and an elderly couple rekindling the fire in their relationship.
But what looks at first like a smart dramatic decision comes to seem like a lack of nerve. They don't fully trust their raw material. In moments of high passion they abandon one of the most passionate dances on earth and turn to a formulaic lift-stretch-and-swing species of Broadway. What should be the hottest parts of Midnight Tango have all the Argentinian flavour of downtown Port Stanley.
By the same token, some of the best tango dancers are in their fifties and sixties. So what a waste to have Teddy Kempner and Tricia Dreighton as the older couple - two fine actors who can do little more with their revivifying dance than play it for laughs.
On the plus side, the stars - while trying too hard to channel Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse - are glamorous and likeable, the kicks and hooks look life-threatening, and in Giraldo Diomar the show has a filthy, velvet-footed Dick Dastardly of a villain.
Until March 31 (0844 847 2429, aldwychtheatre.co.uk)
Vincent Simone And Flavia Cacace: Midnight Tango
Aldwych Theatre
Aldwych, WC2B 4DF
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