German Cornejo’s Wild Tango ★★★ Sadler's Wells Peacock Theatre | May 12 - 21, 2022


This is a tango show plus! German Cornejo's Wild Tango has elements of break dancing and aerial work plus some terrific examples of the Argentinian national dance itself. The production also goes back to the origins of tango by presenting a lot of same sex dancing which has an authenticity and athleticism that is often quite breathtaking. German Cornejo himself with partner, Gisela Galeassi, were absolutely sublime in their sequences together and the rest of the company constantly amazed us with their nimbleness and gravity defying feats. Unfortunately, the show's costumes do not always work to display the talents and skillfulness of the dancers, with the dress decisions sometimes distracting from, rather than complementing, the performances. The use of gaucho-like trousers in one sequence simply obscures the dazzling footwork that is taking place. There is also a problem with the lighting throughout. Frequently it seems unnecessarily dark, concealing the stunning terpsichorean talent on display. Similarly the scaffolding and platforms used for the set seem to serve little purpose. The dancers drape themselves there on occasion but they are not functional for dancing on. Ultimately, this is a company that has some terrifically talented people, and Cornejo has tried to create an innovative showcase for their abilities. There is much to enjoy and marvel at in this Wild Tango!

Rated: ★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Carlos Villamayor.

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When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: Portugal St, London WC2A 2HT, UK

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