FANS of the BBC TV show Strictly Come Dancing were in for a treat last night, when professional dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace returned to the Bristol Hippodrome with their Midnight Tango show.

Of course there were others in the packed audience; dance aficionados mixed with youngsters keen to catch a glimpse of their Latin heroes, as well as those who just like a good show. None were disappointed.

The scene is a dusty bar in Buenos Aires, and the plot is simple; a tug of love between two young studs Pablo (Vincent Simone) and El Gato (Leonel di Cocco), fighting for the affections of beautiful young Sofia (Flavia Cacace) all set to the passionate rhythms of the talented tango band (piano, bass, violin and bandoneon) which plays live throughout the show. The band are also joined on occasion by the Puerto Rico born singer Miguel Angel, singing in Spanish and keeping the production very much ’of the moment’.

Vincent and Flavia have choreographed the entire production, which is directed by Karen Bruce, and it is very definitely split into two halves. In the first half, the amazing troupe of dancers - all experts in this field - play their part in knitting the tango’s complicated dance moves together. Special mention must go to Leonel di Cocco, who was specially trained for Argentine tango show-dancing - and it certainly shows, although all the dancers are masters of their art and perform tirelessly throughout.

However, it is only in the second half that the production really gives the audience what they came for, showcasing Vincent and Flavia together as a couple and providing us with every move imaginable.

With very little plot and a lot of dancing, some light relief comes in the form of Rosa (Tricia Deighton) and Carlos (Teddy Kempner), who play the elderly barkeepers and lighten the mood with their often comic and sometimes tender moments.

There is none of the showbiz glitz that you find on Strictly; Midnight Tango is all about spectacular steps and dancers showing off their talents in context. And what’s wrong with that? If you’ve got it, flaunt it!