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
FUGA was a thrilling opening to the evening, immediately showcasing the exceptional talent of its six dancers. Their intricate interplay, remarkable balance and technical precision were matched by a series of inventive, beautifully executed lifts that felt both original and effortless. Moving seamlessly between solos, duets, trios and striking ensemble unison, the company demonstrated outstanding musicality and a keen sensitivity to Susana Pous’s dynamic choreography. It was an exhilarating curtain-raiser that set an exceptionally high standard for the rest of the programme.
The second work, MUNDO INTERPRETADO (INTERPRETED WORLD), a duet, presented a striking visual contrast, though not always to its advantage. The female dancer wore navy blue with pink socks, while her partner appeared in a burgundy muscle vest and shorts, accented with pink socks and delicate pink detailing at the waist and neck. The resulting palette felt somewhat discordant, making the pairing appear visually mismatched rather than intentionally complementary. Technically, both dancers performed with focus and assurance, displaying admirable control throughout. However, despite their precision, there was a noticeable lack of connection to the score, which left the emotional narrative feeling elusive. Framing the performance was a rectangular LED border that shifted through different colours during the piece. While visually distinctive, its changing hues seemed to serve little discernible dramatic or choreographic purpose, ultimately feeling more decorative than integral to the work.
The third work, presented after the interval, was another impressive display of technical accomplishment. The dancers performed with confidence, strength and precision, highlighting the remarkable calibre of the company. If this is the standard of Acosta Danza Yunior, then the programme’s title, Next Generation, feels entirely justified; the future of contemporary dance appears to be in exceptionally capable hands.
The evening concluded with a beautifully danced final work featuring a female dancer en pointe, whose elegance and control provided a striking contrast to the contemporary vocabulary of the preceding pieces. Her performance was outstanding, although the visual impact was somewhat undermined by her partner’s costume, which included black socks. The juxtaposition of classical ballet technique with rehearsal-style attire felt incongruous. While this was undoubtedly an intentional design choice, it proved distracting, particularly after an evening in which the recurring use of grey, pink and black socks across various costumes repeatedly drew the eye away from the exceptional quality of the dancing.
Photo credit: Jayne Jackson
FUGA
Choreography: Susana Pous
MUNDO INTERPRETADO (INTERPRETED WORLD)
Choreography: Juliano Nunes
Visual Installation: Glenda León
NEW WORK
Choreography: Didy Veldman
CAPRICCIO
Choreography: Kit Holder
Inspired by René Magritte’s The Lovers
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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