Tango of Love: A Night to Remember at the Music Hall Comedy Theater

Hello there, valued readers!

Last month was a real showstopper. I started the year off right with a fantastic opera concert at the Music Hall on December 31st, and then caught another performance of 'The Predators' there too. I also hit up the Leningradsky, Mikhailovsky, and Alexandrinsky theaters - drama and breathtaking ballets - and finally, the star of this review:

The Musical Spectacular 'Tango of Love'

Where: Music Hall Comedy Theater, Russia, St. PetersburgPrice of ticket: 3750 rub (parter, center)

"Tango of Love" at the Music Hall Comedy TheaterPhotography during the performance is strictly prohibited.

I'm sharing my personal impressions and emotions from watching the show, and all the photos were taken by me before the performance and at the end - on my final bow. The program belongs to me.

A port city, velvet night, the sound of the waves... In the passionate embrace, the couple moves rapidly, drawing closer and then moving apart. Suddenly, the dancers freeze, and in the thick, pungent air, you can hear the gentle hum of a bandoneon. It weeps, it whispers, telling stories of love between a man and a woman - stories that were doomed to end in tragedy...

Argentine tango... My love from the outside, and disappointment from within. It's spellbindingly beautiful in the hands of professionals, but often dull for enthusiasts, and downright tedious and complex to learn, especially if you're not given the chance. Like almost everything related to the world of dance, I tried it once - superficially, for general development, but quickly realized it wasn't for me. It's just not in my blood, and that's perfectly fine - it's all about the soul, heart, and temperament. While I adore and enjoy dancing the classical, European sports-style ballet tango, this one's a different story - I'm happy to just watch it, and I couldn't miss this spectacle for the world.

"Tango of Love" at the Musical Comedy TheatreThis is the second time the Musical Comedy Theatre has taken on the theme of Argentine Tango. The first was back in 2006, a production called "Dreams of Tango" that only ran a few times - I was there, and I still remember my impressions to this day. It's hard to believe it's been 20 years... And now, here's a new production.

I've had the chance to experience the theatrical production of 'Tango of Love' at the Musical Comedy Theatre in St. Petersburg, and I'm still reeling from the experience. The show is a testament to the enduring power of tango, with its rich history and cultural significance. The story begins in the 1920s, when the rhythms and melodies of tango first started to captivate the dance floors of Buenos Aires.

'Tango of Love' at the Musical Comedy Theatre, St. Petersburg - program

Essentially, this is a concert-theatre production. It's short and sweet, clocking in at 1 hour and 30 minutes without an intermission, with 30 numbers that are all connected by a single theme. Some of the numbers feature just dancing, while others are purely musical, and a few are a combination of both. The orchestra even got to shine with a few solo performances. There aren't any elaborate sets, but there are some clever and poignant moments with props and a beautiful atmospheric video backdrop, lighting, and shadow work.

The ballet company takes center stage. The costumes are absolutely stunning, with vibrant colors and a clear sense of style - they're definitely stage-worthy.

"Tango of Love" at the Musical Comedy Theatre The ballet by Muzkom performed well, although it was clear that the style was new to them, but I really enjoyed the couple representing the Argentine Cultural Centre. They're not actors from the theatre, they're invited guests, enthusiasts, but it was something very close to real Argentine tango. To its soul, to its very essence. Not complicated, polished movements of professional ballet danced by a trained body, but what comes from the heart and innate temperament - from this partner, something no teacher can give. And it's obvious that they've learned from the best and are in love with this world, along with their partner.

The music is very well-known, even those far from this world will have heard it. Popular tangos from the middle and early 20th century dominate, but there were also a few unfamiliar compositions for me.

Among the dance numbers, "Gallo ciego 1915" ("Blind Rooster"), Poem, Ya Maria (Maria from Buenos Aires), and a fantastic "dance duel" number, choreographed for two soloists from the ballet to the composition Este es el Rey (This is the King), really stood out.

"Tango of Love" at the Musical Comedy Theatre, St. Petersburg - programme

Tango isn't just danced, but also sung, and with the voices of Muzkom's performers, everything was always in order. Beautiful, familiar voices to the theatre's audience:

Alexander Byron, Oleg Romashin, Natalia Savchenko, Yelizaveta Belousova, and not only.

Tango brings out something special, something taut, sharp, and restrained from the heart. The voices, the intonations, transport you to a far-off, unfamiliar, and at the same time emotional, passionate, sorrowful, and happy world. Not like in the original performance, but very worthy.

What really stuck with me was the famous 'Don't Cry for Me, Argentina' sung by Natalia Dievskaya. Her interpretation of Evita was almost... too much. It was over the top, bordering on worrying for the actress.

Having a live orchestra on stage, and even more rare, not in the orchestra pit, was a treat.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I didn't want the show to end, I didn't want to glance at the program to see what number we were on, what the composition was called, or the year. I didn't want to break the spell and the atmosphere. I wanted to stay there, inside, for longer. And so did my companions.

Then I got a sudden urge to hit the dance studio afterwards. Back to the floor, the barre, the instructors, my partner... and suddenly I wanted to lose weight.

Of course, this isn't the 'real' Argentine tango. Not the kind you see on the streets of Buenos Aires, in bars, or at parties. Not the kind you'd see at world championships or dance schools. This is a vibrant, visually stunning stage version, adapted, balletic, but beautiful, stylistically consistent, and easy to follow for a broad audience – just as it should be.

"Tango of Love" at the Musical Comedy TheatreThe show isn't a one-off, it's part of the theatre's current season repertoire. Upcoming shows, as of the time of this review, are on February 13-14, 2026, followed by March and April.

I'd happily go see it again if I had the chance.

Thanks for reading my review!