Full programme and guest dancers announced for Carlos Acosta: Myths and Modern Masters at The Royal Ballet and Opera 5 - 9 August

Following his 50th birthday celebrations in 2023, Carlos Acosta returns to the Royal Ballet and Opera stage with a diverse programme of classic and modern works.

The evening begins with Acosta performing José Limón’s The Moor’s Pavane for the very first time in his career, alongside guest artists Beatrice Parma, Max Maslen and Miki Mizutani from his Birmingham Royal Ballet company. The Moor's Pavane is generally considered to be one of the great masterworks in the modern repertory. In the form of a Renaissance dance, Limon distills the legend of Othello into a taut, one-act human drama with music by Henry Purcell.

The second half features Acosta taking to the stage with guest dancers from Acosta Danza and Enrique Bejarano Vidal and Beatrice Parma from Birmingham Royal Ballet in his Nutcracker in Havana Suite. A fresh and bold interpretation of a much loved classic and a celebration of the essence of Cuba, Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana is a melting pot of classical, latin and contemporary styles with a unique sense of magic and fun at its heart. Acosta will join his company on stage for the first time to perform in this creation of his.

Guest Dancers Katherine Ochoa and Yasiel Hodelin Bello from Birmingham Royal Ballet will perform the pas de deux from Agrippina Vaganova’s Diana and Actaeon. Agrippina Vaganova added her virtuoso pas de deux into her revival of Petipa’s La Esmeralda, which premiered in 1935. Based on the myth of the Goddess Diana and the mortal hunter Actaeon, it is most notable for the technical virtuosity required from the two dancers.

These three works also feature the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

Acosta returns to the stage with Amisaday Naara principal dancer from Acosta Danza, to perform Nosotros by Raul Reinsino and Beatriz Garcia, with a live pianist and cellist on stage. An exploration into the dynamic between two lovers, Nosotros outlines the mismatches and coincidences, the frustrations and luminescence of their relationship.

The evening reaches a climax with a barnstorming revival of Christopher Bruce’s iconic Rooster, with the Acosta Danza company and featuring Carlos Acosta in the lead role. Rooster is Christopher Bruce’s riotous celebration of the music of The Rolling Stones featuring preening cockerels that symbolise the stylish but chauvinistic young men. The women look on with ironic amusement at the male posturing. 

The result is a thrillingly entertaining battle of the sexes with tracks including Ruby Tuesday, Sympathy for the Devil and of course Little Red Rooster among others.

This limited run is not to be missed.

Carlos Acosta said: ‘I am very happy to be bringing this programme to the Royal Ballet and Opera. This will be a joyful evening full of contrast and world firsts. Performing The Moor’s Pavane for the first time will be a real thrill. It was a favourite of Rudolf Nureyev’s and something that I never had the opportunity to perform before now. I also cannot wait to bring a taste of my Cuban Nutcracker in Havana to RBO audiences. Finally bringing Rooster to the RBO stage for the first time will be a fantastic feeling. I look forward to sharing all of that with everyone who will join me.’