Germán Cornejo’s Tango After Dark returns to the West End’s Peacock Theatre in April, and we had a chat with Germán.
Tango After Dark is described as presenting tango in its rawest and most intimate form. What does "tango as it was meant to be experienced" mean to you as both a performer and an artistic director?
For me, tango as it was meant to be experienced is about truth in connection—the dialogue between two bodies, responding to music and to each other in real time. On stage, that intimacy is heightened: every gesture, every pause, every detail carries weight. As a director, I frame the structure and guide the narrative, but the magic emerges when dancers inhabit that space freely, bringing their own personality and instinct to each moment. That combination of direction and spontaneity is what makes tango alive, immediate, and unforgettable.
You mention that London feels like a second home. How has your relationship with London audiences shaped the evolution of Tango After Dark over the years?
London audiences are incredibly attentive, and that has pushed me to keep evolving. My relationship with the city began in 2007, when I first performed at the Peacock Theatre. Since then, we’ve returned repeatedly—15 times at Sadler’s Wells and the Peacock Theatre alone—plus countless visits to enjoy the city and see dear friends. Over the years, performing there has taught me that intimacy and nuance are just as powerful as virtuosity. It’s a feedback loop—the audience’s responsiveness shapes the energy of the show, inspiring new layers in choreography and performance every time we return.
The show blends ten world‑class dancers with live musicians performing Piazzolla's music. How do you approach balancing choreography with live sound to create that sense of intensity and seduction on stage?
The key is listening—dancers and musicians responding to each other in real time. Piazzolla’s music is unpredictable, full of tension and release, so the choreography can’t be rigid. I design the pieces with precise structures, but within that, dancers have room to react, stretch, and intensify moments according to the live pulse. That interplay—between planned movement and musical spontaneity—creates the seductive, charged atmosphere that defines the show.
Tango After Dark promises to captivate both long‑time tango lovers and complete newcomers. What do you hope first‑time audiences feel or understand about Argentine tango after seeing the show?
I hope they feel its humanity first. Tango is not just a series of steps—it’s a conversation, a shared breath, a story told without words. For newcomers, I want them to sense the passion, the intimacy, and the complexity behind each movement. And for those already familiar with tango, I hope they experience its evolution, the layers of emotion, and the way the music and choreography can surprise and move them in ways they haven’t felt before. Ultimately, it’s about leaving the theatre with a sense of awe, connection, and the desire to feel tango themselves.
It returns to the Peacock Theatre – Sadler’s Wells’ from Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 April. tickets: here.