Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana returns for new UK tour

Following an acclaimed tour earlier this year, Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana is back on a new UK tour later this year.

Choreographed and directed by Carlos Acosta CBE, the ballet will start its new tour on 31 October 2025 at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, and then tour to Richmond and Hackney in London, plus Blackpool, Sheffield, Aberdeen, Inverness, Chester, York, Edinburgh, and Norwich. See all tour dates and booking info.

Nutcracker in Havana originally opened in November 2024 and is a colourful Cuban take on the festive classic, set to a newly-commissioned Cuban version of Tchaikovsky’s score, arranged by Cuban composer Pepe Gavilondo.

Casting for the show is to be announced.

The ballet features over 20 dancers from Carlos’ Cuban company Acosta Danza, and includes video projection and set design by Nina Dunn (9 to 5 Musical, Bonnie and Clyde, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Don Quixote).

The creative team for Nutcracker in Havana also includes costume design by Angelo Alberto, and lighting design by Andrew Exeter.

Nutcracker in Havana is produced by Norwich Theatre and Valid Productions.

Carlos Acosta said in a statement: “Creating and touring this first full-length production for Acosta Danza makes me incredibly proud. Watching them fuse together their classical and contemporary dance genres and Cuban Folk, with their sheer joy of dance, to the delight of audiences up and down the country has been a real dream come true for me. The success of the first tour filled me with such pride and I am truly honoured that this very special show is touring again. I am excited for even more audiences to enjoy our Cuban Christmas treat”.

Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive and Creative Director of Norwich Theatre, said: “To see Nutcracker in Havana embark on its second UK tour is hugely exciting. Realising Carlos’ inspiring vision to bring something unique and fresh to such a well-known story was about creative bravery aligned with a commitment to making Nutcracker connect with new and different audiences. Daring to be different saw the inaugural tour a huge success, playing to sell-out audiences around the country, 39% of who were attending dance for the first time. Validated by both audiences and critics alike, Nutcracker in Havana underscores the power of being brave and embracing innovation and we are delighted that audiences in many more parts of the UK-wide can enjoy this wonderful production in their local theatre this year.”

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