Royal Concert Hall Nottingham – 15 & 16 February 2022
Reviewed by Louise Ford
5*****
What a wonderful way to spend a cold and wet February evening, in the company of some of the brightest and most talented dancers from Cuba.
I have not seen many Contemporary dance shows so I was not sure what to expect. It was a glorious fusion of classic ballet poise and stance with modern energy, rhythm and power. The music is also a mixture of strong beats and tempos and compliments the choreography perfectly.
The show in Nottingham is the first stop after a run at Sadlers Wells in London, on a nationwide tour. Acosta Danza was founded in Havana in 2016 by Carlos Acosta to develop young talent and to showcase Cuban performers. Which it does perfectly in this show.
100% Cubano is five different pieces; a solo, a duet and three ensemble pieces. They are all different and distinct but are linked by the same powerful energy and pared back sets.
The show features UK premieres from three exciting young Cuban choreographers – Hybrid by Norge Cedeno Raffo, Liberto by Raúl Reinoso and De Punta a Cabo by Alexis Fernandez . Also in the program; are two big hits from the 2020 UK tour – Paysage, soudain, la nuit by Sweden’s Pontus Lidberg and Impronta created for Acosta Danza by Spanish choreographer Maria Rovira. All of the pieces draw on the melting pot that is Cuba, from the African and Spanish roots to the modern day Havana waterfront.
Whilst all of the pieces are mesmerising the stand out piece for me was Impronta, an amazing solo performance by Zeleidy Crespo. Her presence, her undulating back and arms, the sheer magnificence of her movements in a swirling turquoise dress perfectly illuminated in a single spotlight is incredibly powerful. The final piece De Punta a Cabo is a true Havana party of young people enjoying the freedom of the Malecon waterfront. There is a mixture of dance styles which culminates in the ensemble striped down to their pants, celebrating the full range of beautiful bodies and ethnic mixes, that is Cuba today. The audience and the cast were on their feet at the end clapping and smiling at such a wonderful sight.