It takes two to tango, but four performers will take to the stage next week as Nascot Wood choreographer Kate Flatt brings Songs from a Hotel Bedroom, a new work of music theatre to the Watford Palace stage.

Kate trained with the Royal Ballet School and most recently wowed Palace audiences with her superbly moving dance/theatre piece, Soul Play.

This latest work is set in 1949 in the stylish, noir atmosphere of post-war New York City. It tells the story of a tragic love affair between a cabaret singer and a songwriter played by Nigel Richards (The Black Rider, Drifting and Tilting: The Songs of Scott Walker) and Frances Ruffelle, who originated the role of Eponine in Les Miserables.

Featuring the songs of Kurt Weill such as September Song, You’re Far Too Near Me (lyrics by Ira Gershwin), I’m A Stranger Here Myself and many more are performed by Frances, Nigel and a seven- piece band.

As the actors play out their story, two professional tango dancers interpret their actions through dance.

The performance unfolds as a series of flashbacks set in a hotel bedroom where a French cabaret singer and an American rekindle a passionate relationship.

“It’s a place where you can feel isolated, alone or where great things can happen,” says Kate. “The dancers don’t behave in a naturalistic way. They mirror the actors’ moves. They’re the ghosts of the love affair.”

Given how well-known Kurt Weill’s songs are, I ask Kate if they had influenced the choreography in any way?

“I wanted something to link the songs, and came across this very famous, beautiful tango Youkali: Tango Habanera that Kurt Weill wrote. It’s about what an island of illusion love is and how it is something we can never fully attain.

“It’s an instrumental work that threads itself through the piece and introduces the audience to different styles of tango dancing from ‘40s swing to contemporary.”

For Kate, exploring tango has been an exciting new experience.

“Devising choreography from tango is like using improvisation. As a dance it is both evocative and sensual, mischevous and playful. What the dancers bring, how they steer the movement around and play with it pushes the boundaries.”

Songs from a Hotel Bedroom comes to Watford Palace Theatre from October 14-16 at 8pm. There will be a post-show Q&A on Thursday, October 14 and a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets: 01923 225671, www.watfordtheatre.co.uk