Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone. Picture credit Manuel Harlan
THEY delighted millions of people with their
extraordinary footwork on the hit BBC TV show Strictly Come Dancing.
And then when they left the programme after seven
years, they took to the nation’s theatres with several touring
shows highlighting their not inconsiderable talents.
Now Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone are back, and
possibly for the last time, with their latest tour The Last Tango.
The pair, who have been dancing together
professionally for more than 20 years, are currently shimmying their
way across the stages of theatres around the country, one of which is
the New Wimbledon Theatre which they will be visiting between
February 16 and 20.
In a break from rehearsals Flavia tells me they
are really looking forward to it not least because it’s the first
time they have performed there.
“It is one of the few venues we’ve not danced
in so we are really excited,” she says. “It’s also close to
where we live in Surrey so it will be nice to spend some time there.
"We are just doing our first week of
rehearsals after a nice break for Christmas so it's been quite an
intense week," she laughs. "But it's lovely to get back on
the stage and we are looking forward to it."
Last Tango is the final production in a trio of
shows the pair have choreographed and Flavia says they want to go out
with a bang.
"We love performing our shows and our last
two were great and audiences seemed to love them," she says
warmly.
"Each one has been a little different but
with this one we wanted to push ourselves to the limit and really go
for it.
"Also, we’ve been doing our shows for
several years now - doing eight shows a week is tough both physically
and mentally so we both feel it’s about time to pack away the
suitcase for a while,” she adds.
And she promises audiences are in for a treat with
dazzling costumes to reflect the style of the dances, fabulous
lighting, stunning sets as well as a great cast and live orchestra.
“It’s like a celebration of our best work,"
she says. "It's a beautiful show, very emotional, passionate,
intimate, and with some wonderful dances.
"All our previous shows have had a storyline
and this will be no different. This is about a couple who meet and
become dance partners. The audience will follow them from the time
they meet in the 1920s through to the 1970s.
"There is a real mix of dance styles – from
Rumba to Foxtrot, Charleston to American Smooth, West End to Waltz
and a special version of the Argentine Tango - and we've matched the
music and dances so they tell different parts of the story.
"It's really full on but great fun and we
have really enjoyed putting it together and bringing in new elements.
"One of the dances is a Flamenco which I've
never done before, so I spent time working with a Flamenco teacher
which was a lot of fun. It was nice to do something different and
unexpected."
They will be joined on stage by what Flavia calls
a family of dancers who help tell the story which she says will
appeal to all ages.
“We’ve had some fantastic responses from
audiences and what’s great is that everyone, no matter how old,
will enjoy it,” she says. “It’s something for all the family
which is what we have aimed for."
But where does all the inspiration come from?
"It comes from the music," says Flavia.
"The main thing for us is to find music that we have always
wanted to dance to or that jumps out at us as being something great
for a part of the story. The choreography follows on from the music.
"There are so many beautiful tracks in this
show that it's impossible to have a favourite."
I ask if she's sad that this will be the last tour
but she says it's time.
"Vincent and I have been dancing together for
20 years so it's going to be emotional because we love what we do,"
she says.
"We do and feel very lucky and privileged to
have had all the opportunities we have had, to perform in front of
amazing audiences night after night and create these lovely shows.
"However, we want to pursue new projects and
challenges and we want to end on a high."
But she stresses that doesn't mean a return to
Strictly.
"We are very lucky to have had the
opportunity to do Strictly but that is a box that has definitely been
ticked," she says warmly.
"We want to try out some new things, maybe
teach dance classes. We won't stop dancing though!
"We may be packing away the suitcase but we
won't be hanging up our shoes - it would be impossible to do that!"
she adds cheerfully.
The Last Tango is on at
the New Wimbledon Theatre, Broadway, between Tuesday, February 16 and
Saturday, February 20. Tickets from £15. Visit
www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon or call the box office on 0844 871 7646.
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