Vincent Simone - Tango Passions

Review by Martine Silkstone

I have reviewed a few shows by Strictly’s professional dancers over the years, so heading to The Apex last night for Vincent Simone’s Tango Passions, I thought I knew what to expect. There would be some general chat, a bit of audience interaction and then a variety of set dance routines to showcase his skill.

But I was wrong.

This is something quite different - it’s a dance narrative.

Tango Passions opens with a sultry voice explaining that tango is a dance of seduction and solace, inviting us to take a sensual journey to Argentina as dramatic lighting, dry ice and simple staging transports us to a sleazy bar in Buenos Aires. There, a love story unfolds…

Vincent Simone is the new guy in town, making friends with others over drinks and some fancy footwork. Meanwhile, one tempestuous couple is fighting then making up, a man gambles at cards and a wanton woman sets her sights on the self-proclaimed ‘Italian Stallion’.

But wait - he only has eyes for the demure lady in white who has just walked in.

Cue romance, jealousy and much flirty - and occasionally rather steamy - Argentine Tango.

And these guys can dance!

Simone is master of his craft (we all know that, right?) and his leading lady easily matches his skill. Together they present some astonishing routines and amazing lifts, all while ably backed up by the supporting cast. I especially loved the addition of the violinist/singer on stage to add a real flavour of the location. Great storytelling all round.

It was also nice that, despite the nature of the performance, Simone still made time at the end for a brief chat to the crowd as himself, reminding us of his own cheeky charm.

Now, all that being said, I can’t deny it took me a while to mentally let go of Suffolk and fully embrace the hot Latin drama being conjured on stage. I don’t know if it was the location, the crowd or just me, but initially all the sexy music and dancing just seemed a little incongruous on a wet Friday night in autumnal Bury St Edmunds! For a short while, I thought: there’s not enough dry ice and bourbon in the world…

But let’s just say that, by the end, I had warmed up!

In conclusion, a hot and steamy night out - if you can shut out reality.

Tango Passions was at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds, and returns to Suffolk in February 2026 for a performance at The Corn Exchange in Ipswich.

FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE