Shake off those January blues by enjoying a ballet classic with a Cuban twist when Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana tours to Milton Keynes Theatre this month.
Dance fans around the globe know Carlos Acosta as an international superstar of the classical ballet world. Born in Havana and trained at the National School of Ballet in Cuba, he danced with many prestigious companies, with London’s Royal Ballet becoming his home.
He set up his own company, Acosta Danza, in 2016 and has been director of Birmingham Royal Ballet since 2020. He is also founder and chairman of the Acosta Dance Foundation, which brings together the artistic excellence and positive impact of the Acosta Danza Academy in Cuba, the Acosta Danza Company and the Acosta Dance Centre in London.
Acosta has performed almost every classical role and choreographed huge titles such as Carmen and Don Quixote. Now, Nutcracker in Havana is his opportunity to infuse a favourite festive treat with a little Havana heat.
Theatregoers can expect the traditional Nutcracker story to be reimagined with the colour, feel and vibrancy of Cuba. The choreography keeps ballet at its core, but contemporary and Cuban dance elements are carefully woven throughout in Acosta’s unique style.
Clara is preparing to celebrate Christmas with her family, partying in a humble home in Havana. The beer cans are on the tree and the temperatures are rising. When Clara is gifted a Nutcracker doll, she embarks on the journey of a lifetime – challenged to defeat the Rat King and then whisked off to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Nutcracker in Havana is set to an exuberant Cuban version of the magnificent Tchaikovsky score, arranged by composer Pepe Gavilondo. Featuring set design and video projection by Nina Dunn, lighting by Andrew Exeter and costumes by Angelo Alberto, the production promises to be visually stunning too.
The cast includes Acosta Danza dancers Alexander Arias, Paul Brando, Thalía Cardín, Enrique Corrales, Zeleidy Crespo, Chay Deivis, Adria Díaz, Brian Ernesto, Leandro Fernández, Daniela Francia, Denzel Francis, Wendy Friol, Frank Junior, Cynthia Laffertté, Brandy Martínez, Melisa Moreda, Amisaday Naara, Aniel Pazos, Raúl Reinoso, Laura Rodríguez, Ofelia Semanat, Alejandro Silva, Elizabeth Tablada and Patricia Torres.
Laurretta Summerscales, Yonah Acosta, Alexander Varona, Yaday Ponce, Verónica Corveas, Aymara Vasallo join as guest artists (roles will change for each performance).
The company is completed by Melissa Ann Hughes, Victoria Lavalle, Henri Lynch and Mia Nicholas, who join as junior guest dancers from the Acosta Advanced Training Hub at the Acosta Dance Centre in London.
Running time: Approximately 1 hour 52 minutes, including an interval.
*Production photography by Johan Persson.
Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana is at Milton Keynes Theatre on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 January 2025. The UK tour continues until 28 January 2025.
This preview is also featured on Total MK.
Georgina Butler is an editor, a dance writer and a ballet teacher.
