Two dancer in the rehearsal room practicing a tango, bodies apart, one hand holding the partner's, her other hand resting on his shoulder, his on her back, each looking intently at the other

Five Tangos

In Rehearsal

Two dancers low, knees bent, the woman dipped back, the man holding her behind her upper back so she doesn't fall
A dancer is held aloft, her arms in fifth, one leg pointed at the floor, the other lifted in front of her, another dancer holding her up by her waist
A dancer stands straight in a circle, other dancers form a circle around her, each looking in
Male dancers performing the same move in rehearsals, holding their arms out, pals and fingers vertical, one leg on the floor, on their toes, the other sideways from their body, toes pointed
Dancer in a bandana, grey shirt and black trousers in a pose straight from Tango
In the rehearsal room one dancer stands firmly, legs apart, one arm holding another who has one leg pointing down and the other pointed straight up
A dancer en pointe in arabesque, another dancer behind her holding her arms steady by supporting her below her wrists
Dancer at the height of a dévelloppé à la seconde, wearing red shorts, black ballet shoes and grey vest.
Dancers kneels on the floor, both hands on a hip, she looks sideways and down, behind her a groups of male dancers - each with a hand on their left hip, their right hand straight down
Two dancer in the rehearsal room practicing a tango, bodies apart, one hand holding the partner's, her other hand resting on his shoulder, his on her back, each looking intently at the other
Choreographer

Hans van Manen

Hans van Manen (1932 - 2025) is internationally recognised as one of the grand masters of contemporary ballet. He created more than 150 ballets, including those he choreographed for television.

Van Manen’s signature style and aesthetic shine through in all his choreographies, characterised as they are by clean lines, refined simplicity and an aversion to frills and frou-frou. His innate musicality is present in all of his works, which centre on human relationships without ever being anecdotal.

Full Hans van Manen biography

Creative Team

Choreography

Hans van Manen

Music

Astor Piazzolla - Buenos Aires Hora Cero, Resurreccion Del Angel, Todo Buenos Aires, Vayamos Al Diablo by permission of Warner Chappell Music Limited and Mort Lumiere No. 2 by permission of Edizioni Curci SRL / Kassner Associated Published Ltd.

Lighting Design

Jan Hofstra

Costume Design

Jean-Paul Vroom

Costumes courtesy of Birmingham Royal Ballet

Hair & makeup

Harriet Rogers

Assisted by Hollie Coleman

Staging

Rachel Beaujean and Alexander Zhembrovskyy

Photos from Five Tangos rehearsals taken by Emily Nuttall.

18 Sep 2026 - 26 Sep 2026

Leeds Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre

Tickets from £31
  • 19:30
  • 14:30
  • 19:30
  • 19:30
  • 19:30
  • 20:00
  • 14:30
  • 19:30
Book Now
29 Sep 2026 - 2 Oct 2026

London Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House

Tickets £6 to £60
  • 19:30
  • 19:30
  • 14:00
  • 19:30
  • 14:00
  • 19:30
Book Now