While the federal government was learning that it takes two to tango in negotiations this past weekend over the Wall Street bailout, there were some experts on view at the Byham Theater Friday night.

"Forever Tango" said it all, by turns contentious, demanding, comical and, yes, romantically intimate in many ways, the last being something that politicians haven't accomplished yet.

Routines were wonderfully varied, but the best were saved for last, as in the sultry "Romance," dripping with drawn-out emotion and punctuated by lifts, and the low lunges and whipping turns of the "Vampitango." But each dance was suitably defined, even the "Milongueando," with its vibrant exchange of accents, and the dramatic "Derecho Viego," with a climactic double aerial catch.

It was a generous slice of Argentinian life, boldly supported by the richness of three bandeon players, especially leader Victor Lavallen, and by pianist Jorge Vernieri, in the virtuosic eight-piece orchestra. This was a place where the men were assured and their gorgeous women achieved a seemingly contradictory state of independent compliance. Viva la diferencia!