‘Bla Bla Cha Cha Cha’ Tango Moderno, Orchard Theatre, Dartford. 21.03.2018
Having a final week off before starting my new role and not being able to make the first night of the current showing at the Orchard Theatre, I was so happy to have been allowed to attend the matinee performance the following day. Having seen this partnership in 2015, I was really intrigued to see what they would create this time.
Tango Moderno starring and co-choreographed by Strictly Stars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace. is the third production the two have performed their skills to an audience. What I love the most about the shows – having previously seen The Last Tango, is they fit a story to the show which enables the audience to follow and be drawn in to the performance along with admiration of the many dance numbers. This performance was set in the modern day in an city apartment complex, it focus is ways to find love, and relationships. It also looked at todays ways of finding love, focusing at one point on the dating app Tinder during Haven’t Met You Yet. With Vincent and Flavia playing as matchmakers, by shedding light on couples to find their matches, it was great to see so many of the backing dancers given their chances to show their talents through most of the story. the audience enjoyed cheering on the different couples, hoping that they would find their happy ever after – some did, but also there were surprises too. Having this take on the backing dancers being a main focus, allowed Vincent and Flavia to demonstrate their talent in many dance styles from Argentinian Tango, quickstep, to the Cha Cha and Contemporary but, also shows their talent within their choreography along with the director and choreographer Karen Bruce.
Vincent and Flavia again display their amazing partnership with ease. They are just so beautiful to watch, and clearly portraying the love, trust and talent with each step, they bond as one in each dance enjoying. They tell as story through every dance, that instantly makes the audience melt, loving each move they perform. For the finale they performed an amazing Tango, that showed so much power and emotion it brought the audience to their feet. You never know whose feet is whose during these numbers, its just mesmerising to watch!
The dancers was accompanied by singer, Tom Parsons. Narrator to the story, thought provoking, funny and a warming voice to al the songs that he sung. Personal favourites has to be ‘7 Years’ and ‘Human’ clearly displaying his versatile voice to suit each number. At times he was accompanied by Rebecca Lisweski, who has a powerful voice but displayed a triple threat as she joined the dances along with the back up dancers, but also showing her acting side through her number ‘Three Handed Woman’. Rebecca made it look easy, going from a dance number to a power ballad. Each song was well suited to each dance number performed by James Bennett, Simon Campbell, Michael Carroll, George Hodson, Cat Lane, Hannah Millichamp, Mary Lynn Tiep, Hannah Varnham, Byrony Whitefield and Tom Woollaston.
The whole show brought dance to life, but also told a powerful story of finding the one. These performance make me so jealous of those who can dance, but also fall in love with it. It has opened me up to wanting to see future shows from Vincent and Flavia, but also intrigued to see other similar productions.
If you love dance, musicals, and a fan of Strictly this show is the one for you. Opening your eyes to the life of dance, playing at the Orchard until Saturday 24th March for ticket information go here. It will then continue on a UK tour, for all venues and information go here.
