THE strains of La Cumparsita are immediately recognisable, even to a Strictly starter like me. This hit show (with barely a spare seat for its run at the Theatre Royal) owes its success to BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, but the product is a hugely authentic, highly entertaining night of top tango in its own right.

The stars are Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, who are awarded for their TV celebrity with whoops a-plenty.

Midnight Tango is set in a Buenos Aires Bar run by two sometimes-embittered marrieds, Rosa (Tricia Deighton) and Cacho (Richard Manuel). The duo provides comedy, music and a touching Derby and Joan pathos which finds much favour with the older audience. Deighton multitasks perfectly by delivering a fab version of Tom Waits’ Temptation between daggerglances.

The tango gets a gorgeous going-over courtesy of the clever-footed cast, although the female psyche is represented a little too “braindead, morally-corrupt lovely”

for my liking. Women swoon collectively over El Gato (The Cat, played by perfectly devilish tom Diomar Giraldo) unconcerned by the competition or any outstanding relationship.

The music is live, a joy with special toe-tapping applause to Ros Stephen, violinist and music orchestrator.

I felt transported to Central America, even if the characters were two-dimensional with the exception of the care-worn bar owners. Flavia and Vincent sparkle onstage and, my golly, that girl is ripped. Costumes are sizzling, with some saucy 1940s secretary numbers.

The Strictly fans have a highquality dance show in this and a fair smattering showed their high scores with a standing ovation.

  • Until Saturday. Box office 08448-112121 and online theatreroyal.co.uk

Sarah Scott