Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Southbank Centre, London
Join Clara in her humble home in Havana, getting ready to celebrate Christmas with her family. The beer cans are on the tree and Cuba is typically hot. When Clara is given a nutcracker doll, she embarks on the journey of a lifetime to defeat the Rat King and enter the world of the Sugar Plum Fairy, accompanied by her Nutcracker Prince.
A Cuban take on the favourite festive classic, Carlos Acosta’s brand-new production features new choreography by Carlos Acosta CBE performed by more than 20 dancers from his Cuban company, Acosta Danza.
Carlos Acosta is best known for his work in ballet as a dancer, choreographer and director. Born in Havana himself, his Cuban twist on this festive favourite feels both authentic and fresh, bringing a new lease of life to Tchaikovsky’s classic.
Our story starts in Havana with Clara enjoying the festivities with her family in their humble home. Clara's gifted a Nutcracker doll and she's taken on an adventure like no other by her Nutcracker prince. Here we meet the Rat King, the Sugar Plum Fairy...and everyone in between. Having seen adaptations of the production before, I found the story easy to follow. However, for fresh eyes, it's not quite as coherent as it should be with the storyline often taking a backseat to the talent and dance infusions.
The cast of over 20 performers are simply exceptional and their talent is able to shine at its absolute brightest due to the world class choreography from Carlos Acosta. Where the traditional Nutcracker sparkles, Nutcracker in Havana bursts with colour, energy and a fusion of traditional ballet and Latin dance.
While the entire stage is dripping with talent, it's that of Yasiel Hodelín Bello (Prince) and Lauretta Summerscales (Sugar Plum Fairy) that provides the highlight of the evening. Their chemistry was captivating and their dances in act two were absolutely mesmerising as an audience member. Alexander Verona (Drosselmeyer) oozes a quiet charisma and radiates whenever he takes to the stage, donned with a sparkly waistcoat.
While it may be difficult to imagine how a brisk December evening can feel as though we're in Havana, Nina Dunn's set and video projections do so with ease. It's easy to imagine you're in the busy streets of Havana one moment, and then transported to the Land of the Sweets in the second act. Angelo Alberto's costume designs are also worthy of a mention as they tie in the entire production beautifully; particularly the amalgamation of the Spanish, Arabian, Mirlitones, Chinese and Russian dances. And of course, none of this would be possible without Pepe Gavilondo’s rearrangement of Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, bringing a flair of Latin to music we already know so well.
Carlos Acosta has created something truly magical with this production. While not always the easiest to follow, it matters very little when the rest of the production is as incredible as it is. An instant modern classic.
You can book tickets to Nutcracker in Havana, here.
**photo credit: Johan Persson**
No comments