What’s it all about?
I could say Dance ‘Til Dawn is about mobsters in 1940s Hollywood, murder, romance and the framing of an emerging movie star. That’s the plot.
In truth, what it’s about is showcasing the virtuosic ballroom and Latin talent of former Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace.
Who’s in it?
Vincent and Flavia.
Simone brings a cheeky, roguish quality to leading man Tony DeLuca, the new kid on the block with his eye on leading lady Sadie Strauss, given oodles of glamour and a touching vulnerability by Cacace.
Teddy Kempner is the classic out of shape, down on his luck private detective whose interior monologue – which is distinctly exterior, in fact – guides us through the action, while Abbie Osmon plays the femme fatale Lana Clemenza as part Lina Lamont, part Jessica Rabbit.
What should I look out for?
It sounds so obvious, but the wealth of dance talent on display. Vincent and Flavia keep the audience waiting for a trademark tango right to the end, but, by jiminy, it’s worth the wait and strictly sensational. Their feet are faster than those of a roadrunner being chased by a sequin dress-wearing coyote.
Like the myriad choices at a soft drink dispenser, it’s not just about the tango. There’s a marvellous quickstepping escape from pinstriped hoodlums, a prison-set piece full of yearning passion and a scintillating collection of glorious group numbers.
But what’s dance without music? It’s rare to pick out band members – and the entire band including singer Oliver Darley are fantastic – but the horn section of Alex Maynard and Winston Rollins offers a glimpse of brassy ecstasy for the noir-set tale.
Who was in the press night crowd?
Someone clearly sent out a group email to the stars of Strictly Come Dancing past and present as we spotted original judge and West End choreography icon Arlene Phillips, dancers Robin Windsor and Brendan Cole, and celeb contestants Ali Bastian, Rav Wilding, Johnny Ball and Judy Murray.
In a nutshell?
Delicious dance, Hollywood glamour and a script that finds the funny in foxtrot and the wit in waltz.
What’s being said on Twitter?
@GabyRoslin Just seen #dancetildawn And @FlaviaCacace & @vincentsimone Are phenomenal and outstanding. Left breathless by Their beauty when they dance
@louiespence @VFDanceTilDawn is FANTASTIC if you want to see a great show this is the one…
Will I like it?
Go with a spring in your step and a sense of fun in your heart and you can’t be disappointed. The dance, whether Vincent and Flavia shining alone or a Karen Bruce-created group number, is scintillating, the script is endearingly silly in the finest tradition of pantomime gags, and the music is magnificent. Ca-catch it now.
Dance ‘Til Dawn plays at the Aldwych Theatre until 3 January. You can book tickets through us here.