Carlos Acosta says he as soon as ‘hated ballet’ as his ‘Nutcracker in Havana’ opens in London 

LONDON, – Director and dancer Carlos Acosta admits he as soon as hated ballet as he launches the London run of his new Cuban-inspired model of Tchaikovsky’s festive ballet “The Nutcracker”.

Somewhat than the standard setting of a small city in Germany within the 1820s, “Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana” nonetheless takes place on Christmas Eve however the backdrop is Cuba within the early 20th century.

With ballet at its coronary heart, the model of dance is diverse too and Acosta mentioned it is taking place effectively with audiences and attracting a youthful crowd.

“This present, by utilizing the Cuban affect, the ballet, the Afro-Cuban motion and likewise the up to date, is…reaching out to new audiences,” the acclaimed dancer mentioned in an interview on the Southbank Centre the place the present is presently on.

After pitching the thought just a few years in the past, Acosta choreographed and directed the present which stars Cuban dancers from his firm Acosta Danza.

“I feel it’s so private to Carlos in a manner that a few of his earlier work maybe would not have that connection as a result of it represents Cuba … and tells the story of a rustic that is having a extremely powerful time,” mentioned Stephen Crocker, the present’s artistic producer.

Acosta mentioned the present, which incorporates visible touches linked to his childhood house in Havana, affords audiences a way “of how fantastic and delightful was Cuba within the 1920s and thirties”.

“Whereas ‘The Nutcracker’ usually is a interval play the place you could have…the well-to-do household, for us…it’s mainly… the alternative. This piece performs in a really humble home.”

Reflecting on his personal journey into dance, Acosta, who was born in Havana in 1973, mentioned he first “hated ballet” as within the 1980s he was extra into breakdancing. However as soon as he noticed skilled ballet his opinion modified.

“I by no means thought-about myself a ballet dancer as such…I might dance salsa …and breakdancing as effectively. After which ballet was one thing that I did in a while,” he mentioned.

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