Carlos Acosta's Nutcracker in Havana, Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London E8 until 6 November 2025 and then on tour until 11 February 2026, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton.

Carlos Acosta's Nutcracker in Havana, Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London E8 until 6 November 2025 and then on tour until 11 February 2026,

4☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

“Splendid version of The Nutcracker.”

The season for The Nutcracker has arrived and this glorious variation on the story of Clara and her journey to the land of sweets on Christmas Eve told in Tchaikovsky's ballet is retold here but set in Cuba- with the score suitably amended. The production first opened two years ago and has since been revived each year. It is spectacular, very well danced by his Costa Danza members and there is a delightful Sugar Plum Fairy in Amisaday Naara doing everything one expects. Maybe snow in Cuba is a little difficult to believe in but the story of how Clara goes on her journey is told with charm and imagination and if perhaps you have had too many traditional Nutcrackers in your life – it  is one people tend to get taken to as their very first introduction to the ballet – then this is proof that you can do marvellous things in the theatre. The set piece dance numbers performed for Clara are well done, and the battle with the rats is suitably ferocious. If it comes near you do not miss it. The lavish souvenir programme does not list the cast so no names apart for Naara here – different dancers will appear at different venues. It is quite simply great fun and as good a Nutcracker as you will get anywhere.

Creatives

Set & Video Designer – Nina Dunn for Pixellux

Lighting Designer – Andrew Exeter

Composer & Arranger – Pepe Gavilondo Peon

Costume Designer – Angelo Alberto

Sound Designer – Declam Matwij

Choreographer – Carlos Acosta