Southbank Centre – until 15 December 2024
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
Carlos Acosta’s exuberant Nutcracker in Havana is a delightful Cuban-infused production.
With Clara’s home shifted from snowy Europe to sun-drenched Cuba, Pepe Gavilondo’s arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s glorious score is playful and atmospheric, full of warmth and playful energy.
The ballet follows the original story with a Cuban twist. Tίo Elίas (Alexander Verona) arrives back on the island after years spent in Miami, where he has honed his magic skills. He brings with him a nutcracker doll for Clara (the wonderful Laura Rodriguez) and three life-size dolls to amaze the party goers after transforming the humble home into a mansion. After her brother’s taunting with a toy rat, Clara dreams of her prince and their adventures in the Land of Sweets.
Here, alongside a tin soldier, two of the dolls are Yoruba gods and the Nutcracker is one of the Mamibises, who fought for independence from Spain. The party scene includes traditional Cuban maypole and chancletta dancing and, for once, feels like a party you’d want to be invited to. The battle between the rats and the Mambises is very funny and the snowflakes are beautiful.
The Land of Sweets section is more traditional, with the parade of characters and their signature dances. Lauretta Summerscales is a punchy and precise Sugar Plum Fairy and Yasiel Hodelin Bello is a wonderfully graceful Prince. The Flower, Mirlitones, Chinese and Spanish dancers are wonderful and Amisaday Naara and Chay Deivis’s Arabian dance is magnificent. Brandy Martinez’s high jumping and high energy Russian dance is a surefire crowd-pleaser. When the chanclettas are put on and the maypole reappears, the energy and joy on stage is remarkable.
This is a blast of summer heat in the dreary English winter that is well worth seeing. A charming show for young and old.
Carlos Acosta Nutcracker Tour
WOKING, New Victoria Theatre
Fri 10 Jan – Sat 11 Jan 2025 BOOK TICKETS NOW ➤
WOLVERHAMPTON, Grand Theatre
Mon 13 Jan – Tue 14 Jan 2025 BOOK TICKETS NOW ➤
MILTON KEYNES, Milton Keynes Theatre
Fri 17 Jan – Sat 18 Jan 2025 BOOK TICKETS NOW ➤
SALFORD, The Lowry
Mon 27 Jan – Tue 28 Jan 2025 BOOK TICKETS NOW ➤