I never thought a ballet could be so lively and fun. The Nutcracker in Havana is a vibrant twist that left me wanting more after my first experience.
Havana: I had no clue what to expect from my first live ballet. But a self-driving vintage car and a flying CGI tour of Cuba? That was a surprise!
This wasn’t your typical ballet. It was the ‘Nutcracker in Havana’ at the Lowry, a fresh take on Tchaikovsky’s classic with a Cuban flair.
Produced by Carlos Acosta, a famous Cuban dancer, it follows the familiar nutcracker story. You know, the rat king, sugar plum fairy, and all that jazz.
If you’re not familiar, the plot centers on Clara. She gets a nutcracker from her magical uncle Drosselmeyer, and they embark on a dreamlike adventure to battle the evil rat king.
Acosta shifts the setting from a dull German town to a lively Cuban home celebrating Christmas. I always wanted to see a ballet, but I worried it might be boring.
But this adaptation is anything but dull. Over 20 dancers from Acosta’s ballet school perform stunning choreography. They blend traditional ballet with the joyful spirit of Cuban dance.
Even the music gets a Caribbean twist! Composer Pepe Gavilondo mixes jazz, Latin American, and bolero styles into the famous score, featuring an electric guitar.
And yes, snow falls in Havana!
The show is vibrant and keeps the audience engaged for the entire hour and a half. Dancers break into carnival-like celebrations, and there are perfectly timed comic moments.
Uncle Drosselmeyer, with his self-driving car, adds a sprinkle of magic and tech tricks in the first half. One scene features his magical wind-up figurines, who move stiffly yet elegantly.
The second half showcases some of the most breathtaking dances, including a mesmerizing Dance Arabesque. However, it feels a bit less connected to the lively first half.
Clara’s journey into the rat king’s dream world is visually stunning. The stage is adorned with long fringe curtains that shimmer with every pirouette.
Sometimes, surreal tropical visuals are projected, creating a rare sight—snow falling on Havana.
This performance isn’t for traditionalists, but it’s enchanting from start to finish. For someone like me, who’s new to ballet, it left me eager for more.
The Nutcracker in Havana runs at the Lowry for one more day, on January 28 at 2 PM and 7:30 PM.
