A festive favourite with a Cuban twist

Carlos Acosta’s brand-new production Nutcracker in Havana explodes onto its debut UK tour, featuring new choreography by Carlos Acosta CBE performed by more than 20 dancers from his Cuban company, Acosta Danza.

Tour

10 – 15 Dec 2024

London
Southbank Centre

10 – 11 Jan 2025

Woking
New Victoria Theatre

13 – 14 Jan 2025

Wolverhampton
Grand Theatre

17 – 18 Jan 2025

Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes Theatre

27 – 28 Jan 2025

Salford
The Lowry

Plus more dates to be announced…

“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.”

Carlos Acosta, Director and Choreographer

credit: Johan Persson

Arias began his dance studies in 2017, at the “Alejo Carpentier” Provincial Dance School, joining the Acosta Danza Academy in 2019. In 2020 he received recognition in the First Choreographic Contest of the Academy. Graduating in 2023 he went on to join the founding cast of Acosta Danza Yunior.

Alexander Arias

Corrales started training in 2003. After graduating as a dancer and ballet professor, he began working with the Ballet of Camagüey. His repertoire in principal roles includes; Muñecos by Alberto Méndez, Majísimo by Jorge García and more. In 2015, he joined Acosta Danza and has since danced with the company internationally. 

Enrique Corrales

Díaz began studying dance at the Raúl Gómez García Elementary School of Art, in 2011 where she won prizes in choreographic competitions. In 2017 she joined the Acosta Danza Academy. In 2019, she participated in the performance for the XIII Havana Contemporary Arts Biennial. Upon graduating she joined Acosta Danza in 2022. 

Adria Díaz

Francia began her dance studies age seven and joined the National Ballet of Cuba in 2015. In 2022, she joined Acosta Danza and has since danced with the company internationally. Francia is currently studying for a degree in Dance at the University of the Arts of Cuba. 

Daniela Francia

Junior began his secondary level studies as a dancer at the National School of Art in 2017. A year later he joined the Acosta Danza Academy. In 2022 he graduated as a professional dancer. Since joining Acosta Danza, he has danced internationally in a number of roles and choreographies.

Frank Junior

 
Moreda began her dance studies in 2013 at Alfonso Pérez Isaac Vocational Art School, where she was awarded prizes including Most Outstanding Student in the Ballet and later winning First Prize in Performance at the Matanzas Ballet Festival. That same year she joined the Acosta Danza Academy, joining the founding cast of Acosta Danza Yunior in 2022. 
 

Melisa Moreda

Reinoso is a Cuban choreographer and dancer with Acosta Danza. His work, Satori was awarded the Villanueva Prize from the Association of Scenic Critics as one of the best shows presented in Cuba, along with the Choreographic Prize from the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC). His recent work, Liberto premiered at Sadler’s Wells in 2021. 

Raúl Reinoso

Silva trained at the Cuban National School of Ballet where he graduated as a ballet dancer and teacher before joining the National Ballet of Cuba where he reached Principal dancer. Alongside dance Silva has participated in many audio-visual projects.  In 2015, he joined Acosta Danza since then he has danced with the company internationally. 

Alejandro Silva

Brando began studying dance in 2014 at the “Regino Botti” Vocational Art School alongside additional training at the Children’s Academy of Danza Fragmentada. In 2019 he joined the Acosta Danza Academy where he gained recognition for his choreographic work. After graduating in 2023 he joined the founding cast of Acosta Danza Yunior. 

Paul Brando

Cuban-born Crespo began studying dance in 2001. She joined the National School of Music Shows in 2003 where she continued her studies. She joined the Ballet of Cuban Television in 2014 and toured internationally. In 2015 she joined Acosta Danza, winning Outstanding Female Performance at the 2023 UK National Dance Awards for her role in 100% Cubano.

Zeleidy Crespo

 
Ernesto began his dance studies at the “Alfonso Pérez Isaac” Vocational Art School in 2012. In 2017 he joined Acosta Danza Academy. In 2019, he participated in a performance as part of the XIII Havana Contemporary Arts Biennial. Since graduating in 2022 he joined the cast of Acosta Danza, and has performed in a wide repertoire of choreographies. 

Brian Ernesto

Francis began his dance studies in 2012 at the “Alfonso Pérez Isaac” Vocational School of Art where he was awarded several prizes. In 2017 he joined the Acosta Danza Academy. He joined Acosta Danza to perform in Carmen and Don Quixote Suite. Graduating in 2022 he joined Acosta Danza, since performing in a wide repertoire of choreographies.

Denzel Francis

Laffertté began her dance studies in 2014 at “Alejo Carpentier” Dance School. In 2019 she joined the Acosta Danza Academy, participating in the Stretch Timemonochromes Project, by Isabella Soupart, during the 14th Havana Contemporary Art Biennial in 2021. She graduated in 2023, joining the founding cast of Acosta Danza Yunior. 

Cynthia Laffertté

Naara began her dance studies in 2011, winning awards in national competitions between 2013-2014. In 2017 she joined the Acosta Danza Academy. In January 2020 she was selected to participate in the Choreographic Project at the Grand Prix de Lausanne. Naara joined Acosta Danza in 2021 and has since danced internationally.

Amisaday Naara

Rodríguez trained in Cuba. She has danced in leading roles in Swan Lake, La fille mal gardée, Don Quixote, The Dying Swan and most recently Nutcracker as a guest Artist with Birmingham Royal Ballet. In 2015, she joined Acosta Danza and has since danced internationally with the company, also partnering with Carlos Acosta in his On Before tours. 

Laura Rodríguez

Tablada began her dance studies in 2012 and was awarded Best Female Performance in a choreographic in her first year. In 2017 she joined the Acosta Danza Academy where she also participated in the Acosta Danza performance for the XIII Havana Contemporary Arts Biennial. After graduating in 2022 Tablada joined the cast of Acosta Danza. 

Elizabeth Tablada

In 2017, Cardín was named best ‘individual performer’ in the Choreographic Competition held by the Lizt Alfonso Dance Company in Cuba. In 2019 she joined the Acosta Danza Academy, performing with Acosta Danza in 100% Cuban in 2022. Upon graduating in 2023 she became a member of the founding cast of Acosta Danza Yunior.
 

Thalía Cardín

Deivis studied at the José María Heredia Vocational School of Art in 2011, joining Acosta Danza Academy in 2017. In 2020 he partook in the 48th edition of the Grand Prix de Lausanne, as part of the Choreographic Project directed by Mauro Bigonzetti. In 2021 won 2nd prize in the International Choreography Contest of the Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba company with his performance Guernica.

Chay Deivis

Fernández started training in 2012 at the “José María Heredia y Heredia” Vocational Art School. He was awarded the grand prize and the award for best male performance. In 2017 he joined Acosta Danza Academy. Fernández was a finalist in the international Grand Prix de Lausanne competition in 2020, joining Acosta Danza in 2022. 

Leandro Fernández

Friol began her studies in 2014 at the “Pedro Raúl Sánchez Rodríguez” Vocational Art School where in 2019 she won the award for best female performance and was awarded the best graduate of the Dance specialty. In 2019 she joined the Acosta Danza Academy. Graduating in 2023 she went on to join the founding cast of Acosta Danza Yunior.

Wendy Friol

Martínez began his dance studies at the “José María Heredia y Heredia” Vocational Art School in 2012 where he received multiple awards. In 2017 he joined the Acosta Danza Academy. In 2019, he participated in a performance as part of the XIII Havana Contemporary Arts Biennial. Graduating in 2022 he joined Acosta Danza. 

Brandy Martínez

Pazos began his dance studies in 2014 at the “Alejo Carpentier” Provincial Dance School where he received several awards. In 2019 he joined the Acosta Danza Academy. In 2023 he participated in the Prix de Lausanne, led by the Spanish choreographer Goyo Montero. He graduated in 2023 and went on to join the founding cast of Acosta Danza Yunior.

Aniel Pazos

 
Rodríguez started her dance studies at the “Fernando Alonso” National Ballet School in 2013. In 2018 she joined the Acosta Danza Academy, joining Acosta Danza as a cast member for Don Quixote Suite, by Carlos Acosta. Rodríguez graduated in 2022, moving on to join the founding cast of Acosta Danza Yunior. 

Ofelia Semanat

Torres trained in classical dance in both Cuba and the US winning multiple awards before joining The National Ballet of Cuba. She has performed in repertoire including; Giselle, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, Prologue and Cinderella. In 2019, she joined Acosta Danza and has since danced with the company in Europe, Asia and South America. 

Patricia Torres

Laurretta started her training at Summerscales Performing Arts as well as at the Susan Robinson School of Ballet. In 2007 she got accepted at English National Ballet School joining the Company 2 years later. In 2017 she moved to the Bavarian State Ballet as Principal. Laurretta has a vast repertoire performing all over the world. She has won many awards, including Gold at the International Ballet Competition 2013

Laurretta Summerscales

Yaday joined Art School ‘Alfonso Perez Isaac’ in 1990, studying classical ballet and contemporary dance. In 1998 she graduated from the National School of Dance in Havana. Yaday joined the Contemporary Dance of Cuba, under direction of maestro Miguel Iglesias. Between 2009 – 2014 she studied at the University of Arts, joining Acosta Danza in 2016 as teacher and rehearsal director.

Yaday Ponce

Yonah was born in Cuba and studied at the National Ballet of Cuba. In 2011, he moved to English National Ballet and soon became principal. In 2017 he became principal at the Bavarian State Ballet.  In 2020 Yonah played the lead role in the film “Sin La Habana” for which he won Best Actor at the Reelworld Film Festival.  He has danced all over the World and has a vast repertoire of classical ballets.

Yonah Acosta

Corveas started her training at the School of Ballet of Pinar del Río and finished at the National School of Ballet, in Havana. After graduating she began to work with the Ballet Nacional of Cuba as a Principal Dancer and traveled internationally dancing Giselle, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Nutcracker and Paquita’s grand pas. She has been a member of Acosta Danza since 2015.

Verónica Corveas

Alexander Varona is a Cuban-born multi award winning dancer and choreographer, specialising in contemporary and Afro-Cuban music and dance. He then joined the Cuban National Folkloric Company becoming a principle dancer and choreographer for the company. He won the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for most outstanding modern and contemporary dancer (2006).

Alexander Varona

Graduated from the Alejo Carpentier Ballet Elementary School and the National Ballet School in Havana, Aymara is a retired professional dancer and ballet teacher. She danced at the National Ballet of Cuba under the artistic direction of Alicia Alonso. In May 2017, she graduated with a Degree in Dance Art from the University of the Arts (ISA).

Aymara Vasallo

Melissa was born near Manchester, began her career in dance with a strong foundation in the Enrico Cecchetti method as well as the Martha Graham Technique at Kate Simmons Dance. She is now furthering her training on the Acosta Advanced Training Hub course.

Melissa Ann Hughes

Mia trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, graduating in 2024 with a BA Modern Ballet. Prior to this, she trained on Scottish Ballet’s Associate Programme and at the Dance School of Scotland. Her professional experience includes working with Scottish Ballet, touring in their productions of The Nutcracker and Cinders. Mia joined the Acosta Advanced Training Hub in 2024

Mia Nicholas

Victoria started her training with the Cuban dancer, Mayra Esther Coffigny, in Mexico. She then trained and graduated from Elmhurst Ballet School in July 2024. She has danced alongside the Birmingham Royal Ballet, joining the Acosta Advanced Training Hub in 2024. Prior to this, she trained on Scottish Ballet’s Associate Programme and at the Dance School of Scotland.

Victoria Lavalle

After growing up in Edinburgh Lynch started her professional Ballet training at Central School of Ballet in London. Throughout her three years she performed multiple classical and contemporary pieces and worked with renowned choreographers as part of Central’s tour. After graduating in 2024, she is continuing her training at the Acosta Dance Foundation.

Henri Lynch

Carlos Acosta

Director and Choreographer

Nina Dunn for PixelLux

Set and Video Designer

Andrew Exeter

Lighting Designer

Set Design:  The Creakers (Theatre Royal Plymouth & Southbank Centre London), Lady Chatterley’s Lover - Shaftesbury Theatre (West End) & Pinocchio (Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes).

Angelo Alberto

Costume Designer

Pepe Gavilondo Peón

Composer/Arranger

Yasel Muñoz

Composer/Arranger

Declan Matwij

Sound Designer

Jin Ho Kang

Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer

Tyler Forward

Associate Set and Video Designer

Neil Kelso

Magic Consultant

Norwich Theatre

Stephen Crocker

Sam Bain

Will Hill

Executive Producer

Producer

Production Manager

Valid Productions

Rupert Rohan

Anne-Louise Hawker

Executive Producer

Producer

Marketing and PR

Music Credits


Original score by Pyotr Illich Tchaikovsky



Pepe Gavilondo and Yasel Muñoz

Pepe Gavilondo and Yasel Muñoz

Pepe Gavilondo

Giraldo García

Eduardo Pico, Pepe Gavilondo and Yasel Muñoz

Pepe Gavilondo and Giraldo García

Lucía Expósito



Arrangements and Orchestrations

Musical Production

Artistic Direction

Recording

Recording Assistants

Mixing and Mastering

Production

Lena Ross

Yasel Muñoz

Jesús Darío Bordón

Gabriela Muriedas

Rachel Macías

Jorge Luis González

Marisel González

Oscar de la Cruz

Flute / piccolo

Additional flutes

Clarinet / bass clarinet

Saxophones

Trumpet / flugelhorn

Additional trumpet

Trombone

Chinese cornet

Fabio Abreu

Alejandro Aguiar and Reinando Ponce

Pepe Gavilondo

Daniela Rivero

César Ochoa


Roberto Álvarez

Juan Miguel Sánchez

Lian González

Drums

Percussions


Piano and keyboards

Additional pianos

Acoustic guitar / electric guitar

Electric bass

Cuban tres

Cuban lute

Aylín Pino, Jeyson Varona, Laura Valdés and Camila Martel

Yenet Aguillón

Aymara Justiz

Sadi Rubio

Violins



Viola

Cello

Double bass

Lorena Domínguez, Adriela Reyes and Miguel Herrera

Pepe Gavilondo

Coro Solfa – Schola Cantorum Coralina, conducted by Maylán Ávila

Sarah Willis

Voices


Additional voices

Children’s voices



Waltz of the Flowers

Music recoded at Producciones Abdala and PM Records
Havana, Cuba

Ms. Willis recorded by Gero Meissner in Berlin, Germany

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