Theatre REVIEW: Nutcracker in Havana - ★★★★★

Mix Up Theatre (Stewart)
14 minutes ago
2 min read

Carlos Acosta’s brand-new production Nutcracker in Havana explodes onto the Festival Theatre stage.

A sun-kissed take on a festive classic

Set to an exuberant Cuban reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, this new production features choreography by Carlos Acosta CBE and more than 20 dancers from his acclaimed company, Acosta Danza. Ballet lies at its heart, brought vividly to life with Acosta Danza’s signature style and the rhythms and spirit of Cuban dance woven through this much-loved family tale.

For dance fans around the globe, Carlos Acosta is an international superstar of the classical ballet world. Born in Havana and trained at the National School of Ballet in Cuba, he went on to dance professionally with the world’s most prestigious companies, with London’s Royal Ballet becoming his home.

Having tackled huge titles throughout his career, from Carmen to Don Quixote, Nutcracker in Havana is an opportunity for Acosta to fuse this festive treat with a little Havana heat.

Where?

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh - Part of UK Tour

WEBSITE

Anna (Age 8) - ★★★★★

"I went with my mum to see the Nutcracker in Havana ballet at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh. I know the Nutcracker Suite story as I've read the book, and I thought the dancer who played Clara was perfect for her role. I liked the costumes for Clara and her family as it felt like real clothes people in Havana would wear, and also the mechanical doll costumes and dancing as it was fun to watch the way they moved like clockwork. The set was pictures projected onto layers of chain curtains on the stage, which made it look really cool. The dancing was so energetic and the dancers were so strong and fit, the Japanese dancers lifted each other off the ground and flipped each other right round! For some of the dances, the dancers also used these white clogs on their feet that they stamped, which was fun. The uncle also drove this old fashioned car with colourful rainbow lights on the stage. My mum and I also enjoyed having drinks at the interval in the events room with the press! I would give this show 4.9 out of 5 stars."