Acosta Danza, 100% Cuban, Sadler's Wells

Havana-based Acosta Danza, founded by the Cuban ballet superstar Carlos Acosta, is a small troupe of a dozen stunning dancers, that can turn their hand to almost anything, but seem to have settled for presenting mostly new work from Latin, primarily Cuban, choreographers.

After a difficult year for dance, and performing in general, Acosta Danza is all ready to tour again; and all things being equal, we will be able to see them at Sadler's Wells next February.

They're bringing a programme of five works, three of which have been tried and tested and shown to deserve more outings, and two relatively new ones. All will, of course, showcase the explosive technique, energy and pure charm of the company.

Standing out in this bill are two works: Paysage, soudain, la nuit by the young and immensely talented Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidberg, a delightful ensemble piece set in the magic hours between twilight and dawn; and Impronta, a short solo created by the Spanish choreographer Maria Rovira for the shaven-headed, sculptural goddess that is Zeleidy Crespo, a mesmerising dancer whose training is rooted in the folkloric dance styles of Cuba. The score is by José V Gavilondo.

Impronta, dancer Zeleidy Crespo. Photo: Johan Persson
De Punta a Cabo, created by Alexis Fernández (Maca) for Acosta Danza’s debut season in 2016, is set on Havana's famous seafront, the Malecón. A piece for the whole ensemble, it portrays the choreographer's impressions of modern Cuba, with all its contrasts and contradictions. It is danced to a score by three composers: Kumar, Kike Wolf and Omar Sosar.

De Punta a Cabo. Photo: Yuris Norido
New to London audiences will be Liberto, a 2020 duet created by company dancer Raul Reinoso, that blends fiction and mythology, summoning Cuba's ancient Yoruba gods to tell the story of a runaway slave. The score is also by José V Gavilondo.

Also for the full ensemble is Hybrid, a brand-new commission from the award-winning Cuban dancer and choreographer Norge Cedeño Raffo, about which we haven't yet been told anything.

All in all, a mixed programme, containing work sure to engage and delight alongside a couple of surprises.