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International dance superstar Carlos Acosta will stage a brand new Cuban styled Nutcracker for Christmas 2024.

Nutcracker in Havana is a colourful Cuban take on the festive classic, set to an exuberant Cuban newly-commissioned version of the magnificent Tchaikovsky score, arranged by Cuban composer Pepe Gavilondo. Featuring over 20 dancers from Carlos’ Cuban company Acosta Danza, this traditional story will be brought to life with ballet at its core but in Carlos’ unique style, seeing dance traditions of Cuba carefully fused and woven throughout the classic tale.

Nutcracker in Havana will open at Norwich Theatre Royal on 1 November 2024 before embarking on a UK tour including a week-long run at London’s Southbank Centre in December 2024.

Acosta choroegraphs and directs the show and which includes spectacular video projection and set design by Nina Dunn (9to5 Musical, Bonnie and Clyde, BRB’s Don Quixote), lighting by Andrew Exeter (Oti Mabuse: I Am Here, Johannes Radebe: House of JoJo) and costumes by Angelo Alberto (costume designer for Goyo Montero’s ‘Imponderable’ and Raul Reinoso’s ‘Satori’ with Acosta Danza).

Carlos Acosta CBE said: “I am so excited to be bringing Acosta Danza to the Nutcracker. 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.

“I have always taken pride in recreating some of the most iconic and loved ballet titles, from Carmen through to Don Quixote. Infusing the colour, feel and vibrancy of Havana with the tradition and beauty of Nutcracker is a real highlight for my career.”

Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive and Creative Director of Norwich Theatre said: “Norwich Theatre is delighted to be working with Carlos Acosta, Acosta Danza and Valid Productions once again, following the success of our partnership in reviving Carlos’ solo show, On Before, which continues to tour in the UK and internationally. This is the next major step in Norwich Theatre’s evolution as an originator of new work and creative force bringing the world to Norwich and Norfolk and taking Norwich and Norfolk to the world.

“The whole Creative Team and I are so inspired by Carlos’ vision for a fresh and different Cuban telling of this much loved tale. I hope that Nutcracker in Havana will both capture the imagination of dance lovers and also bring new audiences to dance. I am proud that we are creating a Nutcracker able to tour to the widest range of venues and to towns and cities not regularly receiving dance of this scale and quality.”

More info on Nutcracker in Havana tickets.

Nutcracker in Havana 2024/25 UK Tour Schedule

1 – 3 November
Norwich Theatre Royal

8 – 9 November
Canterbury Marlowe Theatre

19 – 20 November
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

26 – 27 November
Richmond Theatre

10 – 15 December
London Southbank Centre

10 – 11 January
Woking New Victoria Theatre

17 – 18 January
Milton Keynes Theatre

27 – 28 January
Salford Lowry

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Main photo: Acosta Danza dancers in Cuba National Ballet school. Credit Eduardo Lara

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