Carlos Acosta CBE, one of the greatest modern-day stars of the dance world, brings his trail-blazing and Olivier Award-nominated Cuban company Acosta Danza to Norwich Theatre Playhouse between 18 – 20 May.
Norwich Theatre & Valid Productions presents Acosta Danza Up Close, a breathtaking evening of dance that features a series of solos and duets specially curated by Carlos himself.
Taken from the company’s wide-ranging and diverse repertoire of choreography, it will include Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s iconic Faun alongside the work of exciting young Cuban choreographers Beatriz García and Raúl Reinoso.
To mark Acosta Danza’s ongoing special relationship with Norwich Theatre, the opening night of this programme will be hosted and introduced by Carlos Acosta.
Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive & Creative Director of Norwich Theatre, said: “Acosta Danza is a special company not only because it sees acclaim wherever it goes but because the company was born out of Carlos’ ambition to showcase his homeland and it is a representation of diversity and sharing of cultures on stage.
“It is brilliant reuniting with Carlos once again, whose passion and commitment to his art form and storytelling is infectious. We are hugely proud to be chosen as Carlos’ creative partner, and it is why we can offer Norwich audiences a rare opportunity to see Carlos introduce the pieces on opening night.”
For dance fans around the globe, Acosta is an international superstar of the classical ballet world. Born in Havana and trained at the National School of Ballet in Cuba. Carlos went on to dance professionally with the world’s most prestigious companies, with London’s Royal Ballet becoming his home. Carlos retired from Classical ballet in 2016, having performed almost every classical role from Spartacus to Romeo. Since 2020 Carlos Acosta has assumed the direction of the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Carlos set up Acosta Danza to develop young talent, showcase Cuban performers and put the vibrancy of Cuban culture firmly centre stage. The company has developed an unrivalled reputation as an ensemble of magnetic performers with a boundary-pushing repertoire of work by both international and home-grown choreographers.
The Programme
End of time – Ben Stevenson was inspired by Stanley Kramer’s 1959 post-apocalyptic film On the Beach. The pas de deux reveals the last pair of civilizations and is an elegy from a space marred by death.
Faun is inspired by Vaslav Nijinsky’s L’après midi d’un faune, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s masterpiece is set to Debussy’s original score with additional music from Nitin Sawhney.
Impronta brings together modern and contemporary dance in an evocation of folk dances of Afro-Cuban heritage. The piece was created especially for Acosta Danza by Spanish choreographer Maria Rovira.
Nosotros by Beatriz García & Raúl Reinoso takes you on a journey inside the couple. The choreographers release their experiences to reflect on the intermittences of relationships.
The Dying Swans is Carlos Acosta’s take on the most famous love duet from Swan Lake, Mikhail Fokine’s The Dying Swan.
Soledad is a duo full of sensuality and emotion that explores the wild and tender aspects of a love relationship by Rafael Bonachela.
The on-sale dates for Acosta Danza Up Close are as follows:
8 Feb 23 – Gold Friends*, Supporters and Corporate Members
9 Feb 23 – Best Friends, Friends*
10 Feb 23 – General Public
*Friends who joined after June 2022 can claim discounts and priority booking for Theatre Royal, Playhouse and Stage Two shows.
Signing up for Norwich Theatre’s Friends Scheme will give you access to priority booking for shows across its three venues, allowing you to secure your favourite seats. The entry-level into the scheme costs £25 a year and includes benefits such as priority booking, half-price first-night dramas and discounts on up to four tickets per show, plus a 10% discount off food and drink at Norwich Theatre Royal the Playhouse and Stage Two.
Book now!