TANGO NIGHTS

Be prepared to be blown away by ground-breaking choreography. (Review by Maurice Kort)

Be prepared to be blown away by ground breaking choreography executed by the accomplished dancers of Bovim Ballet.

Cape Town knows the award winning choreographer Sean Bovim's Bovim Ballet company well from their excellent dance productions. Now Durban has the opportunity of enjoying this dance sensation in their short season at the Playhouse Drama at the start of their national tour to Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and Johannesburg after sold out performances in Cape Town and Stellenbosch earlier in the year.

Sean Bovim's maxim is to push choreographic boundaries resulting in dance that is so much more than classical ballet en-pointe or athletic rock ballet. Combine this with the hypnotic allure and sensuality of the tango and you have an evening of dance not likely to have been seen before. Tango Nights features well-chosen powerful musical numbers, some better known than others, for example the sensual Kiss of Fire and Roxanne from the film Moulin Rouge.

Not only must full credit be given to the very clever and inspired choreography of the Director, Sean Bovim, but also Daniel Galloway for the lighting which is used to full effect to lend magic to a simple set designed by Karl Staub. Be amazed by how chairs, a table and a bed can be incorporated into the dance sequences. Malcolm Klûk and CGDT deserve special mention for their delightful, colourful, exquisite costumes.

As if all the above is not entertainment enough, this all forms the basis of a passionate tale of raging emotions of love, jealousy and rivalry. Tango so well reflects such relationships between man and woman.

The action of Tango Nights takes place in Cafe Tango, where the tempestuous Cafe hostess, Roxanna, seduces the Head Waiter, Carlos, with whom she subsequently falls in love. There is an alternate cast on the tour and on the opening night these roles were performed by Kerryn Howard and Andre Sauer, respectively, star dancers in no uncertain terms, as indeed are the whole ensemble. Particularly noteworthy from both the choreography and the dancing points of view are the balletic fight scenes between two erstwhile friends (James Bradley and Ignatius Van Heerden) in their rivalry for Roxanna's affections. Contributing much humour is Rolf, the Cafe Pianist, especially in his more inebriated moments.

Catch Tango Nights by Cape Town’s Bovim Ballet at the Playhouse Drama, Durban, from April 29 to May 3, 2009. Special discounts are available for pensioners, students and block bookings of ten or more. Tickets are available through Computicket. – Maurice Kort