Tango in Silk is an evocative original ballroom duet by acclaimed Chinese dancer and choreographer Xi Liu, premiering at Camden Fringe and Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer. A deeply personal exploration of identity, migration, and transformation, the piece fuses the sharp sensuality of Argentine tango with the lyrical elegance of 1930s Shanghai aesthetics.

Set to a dynamic, emotionally textured soundtrack, Tango in Silk follows the journey of an East Asian woman newly arrived in the UK. Her dance begins with quiet uncertainty — hesitant gestures, reserved steps — and gradually builds into confident, grounded movement. The choreography embodies moments of cultural friction, resistance, and ultimately, empowerment. In a striking finale, the character’s physicality fuses the bold rhythm of tango with the softness and dignity of traditional Chinese grace, symbolized by her dramatic qipao (cheongsam) costume.

Performed by Xi Liu, the piece is both visually arresting and emotionally layered, offering audiences a poetic narrative of belonging and becoming. Each attendee will also receive a small gift — a traditional Chinese fan — as a gesture of cultural appreciation and connection.

Photo Credit: Wan & Kelly Lin
Poster Designer: Qiqi Zhang

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/tango-in-silk