Tango Fire

Tango Fire
Choreography by German Cornejo, Arts Centre Melbourne. August 10 – 14, 2016, then touring

There is something incredibly exhilarating in seeing any artist at the peak of their brilliance, and when there are ten of them, imbued with the fire and passion that is the Argentinian Tango, it would be difficult not to feel the adrenaline rush even sitting in the stalls. The passion is palpable; the excitement all embracing.

It was not “the usual suspects” – celebrity faces anxious to be seen – who stood and cheered on opening night, but the public of all ages, youngsters studying dance; older couples trying to master Tango at social dance studios; lovers of colour and spectacle and excellence.

German Cornejo’s Buenos Aries dance company is superb, full of the fire of the title, with individuals bringing their own specialties to the choreography. These are five couples - they know and respond to the bodies of their partners and the result, while not overtly sexual, is always sensual and seductive.

The music is spectacularly managed by the brilliant Quarteto Fuego, where each of the four musicians is exceptional in their own right.  (Why do they not have a CD available? Many of the audience, including myself, would have bought it.)

There are songs too, sung by the velvet voiced and charming Jesus Hidalgo. But it is the dancing that everyone has come to see.

Those of us who have danced Tango in its most basic form, or even as a joke, can’t imagine the core strength required by the male dancers. Their axis is completely balanced, enabling the female to seem suspended just inches above the ground, weightless. Then there are the lifts – many of which I have never seen before, and some heart-stopping. Add to this the superbly executed Ganchos, Secadas and Tijeras, and you can’t help but be thrilled.

German Cornejo has choreographed the bulk of the dancing and, with his partner Gisela Galeassi, gives us some astonishing pieces, including a Tango Adagio midway through the second act that is breathtaking. But each couple has two numbers in which to show their passion and style - and my personal favourites were Marcos and Louise - they epitomised superb dancing and performance.

Purists might turn up their noses at the Cabaret style of the finale, with its overt applause seeking showmanship, but this is theatre after all. The set and staging is simple but beautiful and the lighting (uncredited) is superb, as is the sound.

For those who think Argentinian Tango is a sport where people try to kick each other and avoid being kicked back, see Tango Fire and realise that it is an art form, exceptionally well executed.

Coral Drouyn

Photographer: Zach Ciaburri.

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