They say it takes two. At first it definitely requires three, with every footstep and twist of the arm painstakingly demonstrated until I understand.

When offered a tango lesson and performance from two world-class Argentine dancers, I was delighted to accept the invitation. But as 29-year-olds Valeria Sol Alvarez and Sebastian Acosta emerge from their dressing room in full attire, complete with sequins and dark suit, I wonder quite what is in store.

Their opening number is a traditional tango from before the 1930s, but as their legs flick seemingly effortlessly through each others, I ponder how I am going to avoid crippling my partner if I attempt a similar move.

My lesson starts with the basic steps and the correct hold. Suddenly, the prances and flings of a few moments earlier begin to feel very far away
indeed.

The moves in Argentine tango, regarded as the most romantic of the Latin dances, are seldom fixed.

Instead, they are improvised and heavily directed by the male lead in the pair. In this case, me.

One of the tasks of the ‘lead’ in the partnership is to steer. Needless to say, we frequently collide with walls in the backstage area of the Bridgewater Hall, where my private masterclass is happening.

After we have run through several steps, we try to link them together. The problem being that, having focused on learning the second set of moves, my mind had conveniently eradicated the first.

Sebastian continually, and graciously, reminds me on which foot I have to start for each sequence.

Taken in good humour, this is passable for a first attempt. All in all it’s not a total disaster, in spite of a lack of experience, and both of my left feet.

Sebastian and Valeria belong to Tango Passion, the group that is embarking on a 29-stop tour of the UK this autumn. The six couples, handpicked from Buenos Aires, are accompanied on stage by a seven-piece orchestra and a vocalist.

The Argentine tango began as a fusion of African and Spanish music, and has become Argentina’s most popular cultural export. Many of those growing up in Buenos Aires learn Latin dancing as soon as they master walking. Both of my dancers started life in classical training, and moved to tango when they were 12.

Valeria describes her early experiences: “I fell in love with the dance in the first training session.

“Classical dance has the same moves for everything. Tango opens up the emotions; you can be much more expressive. You can feel more.”

As they demonstrate their second dance, a modern tango, their moves rise and fall to the music, one moment dramatic and passionate, burning with energy and vigour, the next, still and peaceful, yet never losing the energy or the focus.

The variety in the dancing, and the sudden changes in tempo, make the performance compelling. You cannot look away, always wondering what is going to happen next.

Suddenly we are no longer in the dressing area of the Bridgewater Hall, but on the streets of Buenos Aires
itself.

In the final moves he lifts her right above his head, spinning her round before dropping to the dramatic final pose as the music crashes to a halt. They remain in the final position, bent over each other in passion, for a final few seconds.

Seeing the way that the pair interact, their bodies moving so gracefully and effortlessly across the floor, puts my humble steps greatly to shame.

They practise for over four hours a day, and describe it as very hard work.

The timing of their moves is so precise. The smallest slip could result in serious mishap. The kicks through the legs come only inches away from causing real problems.

The frenetic moves do sometimes result in injury.

“Last week we were practising a kick,” says Sebastian, “and a sequin from Valeria’s dress caught my cheek and ripped it open.

“But that happens,” he shrugs.

Couples on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing – showing on BBC1 on Friday – will be required to dance the intricate Argentine tango, a highlight of the series as it is the most demanding, but most spectacular, number in the repertoire.

Previous years have seen additional performances by the world champion tango-ers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, displaying incredible talent with their heart-stopping routines. They will no doubt make a return this time around.

My experiences are a far cry from the polished performances that will grace our televisions in only a few weeks’ time. While the initial steps are not overly complicated, and picking them up is relatively easy, turning my wooden lungings into a whirling escapade of romance would require a seismic shift of ability, and months of training.

Even for Valeria and Sebastian, growing up with the culture of tango and dance, the amount of dedication that goes into every single performance is unbelievable.

The show, which visits the Bridgewater Hall, is in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Argentine independence from Spain.

With enough work, I just might be able to join them on the 300th anniversary tour.

» Tango Passion is at the Bridgewater Hall on October 6, 2010. For tickets, call 0161 907 9000.

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