Carlos Acosta, director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, presents the latest graduates from his Cuban Dance Academy (Acosta Danza Yunior) in Next Generation – a programme full of energy, technical skill, and Cuban passion coming to Sadler’s Wells East this June. The mixed bill speaks to lived experiences from the Caribbean island, with the bodies, lights, and shadows of a country interpreted in vastly different ways by emerging dance artists.
Review by Richard Lambert
(review pending)
Photo credit: Jayne Jackson
Acosta Danza Yunior
Next Generation
Sadler’s Wells East
Wednesday 17 – Saturday 20 June 2026
Tickets from £15
80 minutes, including one 20 minute interval
Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com
About Sadler’s Wells
Sadler’s Wells is a world-leading dance organisation. We create and share dance that inspires us all. Our acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap.
Each year, over half a million people visit our four theatres – Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Sadler’s Wells East, Lilian Baylis Studio and Peacock Theatre. Millions more attend our touring productions nationally and internationally or explore our digital platforms, including Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage.
Sadler’s Wells East
In 2025 we opened a fourth London venue in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Sadler’s Wells East is home to a 550-seat mid-scale theatre, as well as facilities for the Rose Choreographic School and Academy Breakin’ Convention, which provides Hip Hop education to talented young people aged between 16-19.
Supporting artists
Supporting artists is at the heart of our work. We have Associate Artists and companies, which nurture some of the most exciting talent working in dance today. We host the National Youth Dance Company, which draws together some of the brightest young dancers from across the country. Sadler’s Wells Breakin’ Convention runs professional development programmes to champion and develop the world’s best hip hop artists, as well as producing, programming and touring groundbreaking hip hop performances. Within Sadler’s Wells East are six world-class dance studios, vital facilities which offer dancemakers time and space to train, create and rehearse productions in house.
Furthering the art form
We commission, produce and present more dance than any other organisation in the world. Over the last 20 years, we have helped to bring more than 200 new dance works to the stage, embracing both the popular and the unknown. Our acclaimed productions tour the world and have reached audiences of more than two million in over 50 countries. We also host the Rose International Dance Prize, a biannual award that celebrates the best new choreographers on the global stage.
Transforming lives through dance
Around 30,000 people take part in our learning and engagement programmes every year. We support schools local to our theatres in Islington and Stratford, designing experiences with children and young people to watch, explore and critically engage with the arts. We also run Company of Elders, a resident performance company of dancers aged over 60 who rehearse with renowned artists to make new work for public performances locally, nationally and internationally. Community engagement is essential to what we do. At Sadler’s Wells East, which is open throughout the day, participatory spaces like The Dance Floor are situated at the heart of the building, offering lunchtime classes and other free activities for the local community.
We believe in the transformative power of dance, for artists, audiences, and communities. As the national platform for dance, we make space for artists from around the world to create new work and offer audiences the opportunity to see the best productions being made today.
Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. www.sadlerswells.com
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