The UK premiere of Acosta Danza, the new dance company founded by Cuban dancer and ballet star Carlos Acosta, was announced last month by Sadler’s Wells. It is a Sadler’s Wells International Associate Company, joining fellow International Associate Companies Rosas and Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, which were appointed last year. The company will consequently perform at Sadler’s Wells in late September 2017 before a UK tour, with Acosta making a guest appearance as part of the programme.
The debut programme of Acosta Danza includes work by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, as well as Spanish choreographer Goyo Montero, and Cuban choreographer Marianela Boan. Following its UK premiere, Acosta Danza will tour to Salford, Birmingham, Southampton, Brighton and Edinburgh, with further cities to be announced. Internationally, the company will perform at Lodz Festival in Poland, Chekhov Festival in Russia, and at Festspielhaus St Pölten.
Acosta set up Acosta Danza in Cuba since retiring from The Royal Ballet last year. Under his artistic directorship, Acosta Danza is based in Havana and features a mixture of the finest ballet and contemporary dancers Cuba has to offer, with the company highlighting the vibrancy and richness of Cuban culture, history and its artists. The company will develop its contemporary work, whilst also using elements of classical ballet. For Acosta, the company is an aspiration that has grown out of his vision as an artist, over the past twenty-five years of his professional career.
The premiere of Acosta Danza is produced by Sadler’s Wells and Valid Productions, a co-production with The Movement and Festspielhaus St Pölten. Valid Productions has been a promoter of the performing arts in the UK and Europe since 2009. It has always worked closely with Carlos Acosta, and was the co-producer of his Classical Farewell Tour in 2016.