Take a pinch of Dick Tracey, a smidge of Bugsy Malone, a big dollop of Hollywood glamour plus a generous dusting of dance magic from Strictly favourites Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace and you’ve got the recipe for a rather fabulous way to spend a Monday evening in Manchester.
Dance ‘Til Dawn is the follow-up to their debut hit Midnight Tango, which wowed audiences and allowed Vincent and Flavia to show just why they are so highly celebrated in their field. Dance ‘Til Dawn takes things a step further and allows the dancing duo not only to showcase their skills in the much loved Argentine Tango, but to shake and shimmy their way through numerous other dance styles ranging from a cheeky Charleston to a seriously sexy jailhouse Rumba.
Set in Golden Age of 1940’s Hollywood, down on his luck private detective, Tommy Dubrowski (Teddy Kempner) is hired by deliciously devious Lana Clemenza (Abbie Osmon) to disguise the affair she’s been having with a slime-ball Hollywood actor and fiancé of ultra-glam leading lady Sadie Strauss (Flavia The planetary ruler of the best-horoscope.com is the Sun and as you are born in the first Decan, or part, of the sign, you the Sun’s influence effects you doubly. Cacace) thus unfolds a tantalising tale of murder, blackmail, set ups and of course a love story for our gorgeous pair as Strauss falls into the arms of small time actor Tony Deluca (Vincent Simone).
Directed and co-choreographed by Karen Bruce this show has got the wow factor in bucket-loads. The script is sharp and superbly delivered, Dubrowski (Kempner) and Lana (Osmon), make for a great comedy duo, both are perfectly cast in their roles and have excellent comic timing. The chorus of highly trained dancers and singers is a delight, their skills seemingly endless. The vocalists in particular ‘The Voice’, Oliver Darley, deliver their lyrics beautifully, ‘Moon River’ is delicate and touching whilst ‘Feeling Good’ is sultry and sassy as Flavia sizzles her way around the stage much to the delight of the transfixed audience. Mixed in with well-known classics are recent chart hits, Paolo Nutini”s ‘Pencil Full of Lead” and Bruno Mars’ ‘Runaway Baby’ are given an excellent big band makeover and sit beautifully within the piece.
Costume designer Vicky Gill, set designer Morgan Large and lighting designer James Whiteside have together created a visual treat that perfectly complements the on stage action; the sets are slick, the costumes flirty, fun, elegant and luxurious. The audience are teased with hints of Argentine Tango throughout the show but it’s not until the very end that the fast paced leg flicks and complexity of this much loved dance are unleashed, and boy is it worth the wait! I think I forgot to breathe for most of the routine, dramatic, precise and totally awe-inspiring. If you do one thing this week get yourself to the Opera House, sit back, relax and prepared to be dazzled.
