Introducing Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana


Welcome to my Nutcracker in Havana. I am so excited to be bringing this new production to life. Nutcracker is a ballet beloved by so many, it is a Winter tradition, not only for dance lovers but also for dancers. It is many dancers’ dream to perform the various roles of the Nutcracker and I am lucky to have done just that throughout my career.

Nutcracker has always been a special show for me. My generation in Cuba grew up without the spirit of Christmas and with this show, I can combine the joy of the Nutcracker with the vibrant Havana culture. I cannot wait to take audiences from the humble settings of Clara’s home through to the beautiful dream sequences passing through the grand and vibrant Havana ballrooms of the 1940s and 50s.

Infusing the colour, feel and vibrancy of Havana, where I grew up and started my career, with the tradition and beauty of Nutcracker is something I have wanted to do for a long time. With my Cuban company, Acosta Danza, I am proud to be revisiting another major ballet title following on from my Romeo & Juliet and Don Quixote.  I am hugely proud to be bringing Acosta Danza to the Nutcracker, telling that story in a new and different way and letting audiences experience a little piece of what tradition is for me.

Heading on it’s debut tour in 2024/2025 for venues and dates visit nutcrackerinhavana.com

Bienvenidos a mi Nutcracker in Havana. Estoy muy emocionada de dar vida a esta nueva producción. The Nutcracker es un ballet muy querido por muchos, es una tradición de invierno, no sólo para los amantes de la danza, sino también para los bailarines. El sueño de muchos bailarines es interpretar los distintos papeles The Nutcracker, y yo tengo la suerte de haberlo hecho a lo largo de mi carrera.

The Nutcracker siempre ha sido un espectáculo especial para mí. Mi generación en Cuba creció sin el espíritu de la Navidad y con este espectáculo puedo combinar la alegría The Nutcracker con la vibrante cultura habanera. Estoy impaciente por llevar al público desde los humildes escenarios de la casa de Clara hasta las hermosas secuencias oníricas que pasan por los grandes y vibrantes salones de baile de La Habana de los años cuarenta y cincuenta.

Infundir el color, la sensación y la vitalidad de La Habana, donde crecí y empecé mi carrera, con la tradición y la belleza The Nutcracker es algo que he querido hacer desde hace mucho tiempo. Con mi compañía cubana, Acosta Danza, me enorgullece retomar otro gran título de ballet tras mis Romeo y Julieta y Don Quijote. Me enorgullece enormemente llevar Acosta Danza The Nutcracker, contar esa historia de una manera nueva y diferente y permitir que el público experimente un pedacito de lo que es para mí la tradición.

Su gira de estreno tendrá lugar en 2024/2025. Para conocer los lugares y las fechas, visite nutcrackerinhavana.com.

Acosta Danza Nominated for Olivier Award


I am so proud that my company Acosta Danza have been nominated for an Olivier Award. The ceremony will be on 10th April, and you can follow the results with Olivier Awards.

Estoy muy orgulloso de mi compañia #AcostaDanza que ha sido nominado para un Olivier Award. La ceremonía será el 10 de abril, y puedes seguirlo con Olivier Awards.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Upcoming Season


The upcoming season at Birmingham Royal Ballet is as varied and dynamic as I had envisaged it would be. Visit the events page on Birmingham Royal Ballet’s website for announcements and tickets.

La temporada próxima de Birmingham Royal Ballet es tan diversa y dinámica como esperaba. Visita nuestra página con los próximos eventos en el sitio web de Birmingham Real Ballet para anuncios y entradas.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Don Quixote Opens on Feb 10


It has come around fast… Don Quixote opens at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton next week. I’m so happy to be sharing this beautiful adventure story with you all. If you’re wondering when Don Quixote is playing at a theatre close to you, you can visit Birmingham Royal Ballet’s website for full details. Just a reminder that while I directed this production, I will not be performing in Don Quixote.

Don Quixote will be performed at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre (Feb 10-12), Birmingham Hippodrome (Feb 18-19, 22-26), Salford’s The Lowry (Mar 2-5), Sunderland Empire (Mar 10-12) and Theatre Royal Plymouth (Mar 16-19).

Acost Danza UK Tour Starts in February


On 9 Feburary, Acosta Danza begin their UK tour of 100% Cuban.

The program includes acclaimed pieces, ‘Paysage, Soudain, La Nuit’ by Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidberg, and ‘Impronta’ by Spanish choreographer Maria Rovira.

100% Cuban will be touring at Nottinghal Royal Concert Hall, The Lowry, Hull New Theatre, The Marlowe Theatre and Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Tickets are available from danceconsortium.com/touring/acosta-danza-100-cuban

Yuli on BBC Two This Saturday


The film about my life, Yuli: A Carlos Acosta Story, will be on BBC Two this Saturday at 10pm. This film tells the story of my youth in a disadvantaged neighbourhood in Havana, and how I became a ballet dancer at the Royal Ballet Company. The process of making Yuli was an incredibly emotional one for me, and since the film came out in 2019, it has been so wonderful to see people respond to it. Let me know if you catch it this Saturday!

Visit bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0013ntr to watch the film – it will be available to watch on demand until 10th May.

Curated By Carlos – Reviews


In Birmingham in June and at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London in November, Carlos curated a triple bill as part of his new role with Birmingham Royal Ballet. The performances featured two world premieres and a UK premiere, including “City of a Thousand Trades”, “a love letter to Birmingham” commissioned by Carlos, and “Chacona” which featured an exclusive pas de deux performed by Carlos and Alessandra Ferri.

Here are some of the reviews for the shows:

Curated by Carlos, Birmingham Royal Ballet review: Triple bill shows off charisma of mature dancers (The Independent)

Birmingham Royal Ballet: Curated by Carlos review – a kick and a promise from Acosta (The Guardian)

Carlos Curates: R&J Reimagined review — the star-crossed lovers are radically rebooted (The Times)

Curated by Carlos, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Sadler’s Wells review – a star turn (The Arts Desk)

Review: Birmingham Royal Ballet, Curated by Carlos (Culture Whisper)

BWW Review: BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET – CURATED BY CARLOS, Sadler’s Wells (Broadway World)

Birmingham Royal Ballet – Curated by Carlos triple bill with Acosta and Ferri – London (Dance Tabs)

Modern, exciting and about their city: Birmingham Royal Ballet in Curated by Carlos (SeeingDance)

BRB’s dancers are energised by Curated by Carlos but more substantial achievements lie ahead (Seen and Heard International)

Curated by Carlos – Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage (The Reviews Hub)

Acosta Danza Recognised by the UK National Dance Awards


Acosta Danza has been recognized by the Dance Section of the Critics Circle as the best independent company, in the 21st edition of the UK National Dance Awards.

This category analyzes companies that maintain a stable and permanent job in the UK scenarios, which do not belong to the circle of companies subsidized by the state, the government or any British governmental institution. Along with Acosta Danza, shows from companies such as 2Faced Dance, Boy Blue Entertainment, Rhiannon Faith Company and Scottish Dance Theater were evaluated.

Since its debut in 2016, the company has had a close relationship with the UK performing world. The public in more than ten British cities has enjoyed Cuban shows as part of tours organized throughout most of the country. The company has performed at major London venues such as the Royal Opera House, Sadler’s Wells Theater and the Royal Albert Hall.

Carlos Returns to the Stage with ‘Curated By Carlos’


Carlos will return to the stage with Curated By Carlos, a triple bill from Birmingham Royal Ballet including two recently premiered works and the world premiere of a new pas de deux created especially for Carlos Acosta and Alessandra Ferri.

The production will include City of a Thousand Trades, “a love letter to Birmingham”, commissioned by Carlos that celebrates the city’s richly diverse cultural and industrial heritage.

Curated By Carlos will be at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from the 10th until the 12th June.