BY THE END, MY HEART WAS SHINING OUT OF MY EYES

By Sophie Clark | Muck Rack Portfolio ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Carlos Acosta has magnified his already illustrious legacy tenfold by investing in this troupe of breathtaking dancers.

Not to make this all about Acosta, because the dancers are sure to be superstars in their right, but since this is his dance academy there is a lot to be said about how the Cuban dancer made a name for himself in the hallowed halls of Covent Garden only to take that fame and fortune back home to invest in his roots.

That sentiment was clearest in the first dance of the recital: Fuga, which showed six absolutely committed, strong, elegant, and forceful dancers grappling with what it means to want to leave your home. Choreographer Susana Pous managed to transform a small green square in the middle of the stage into an entire world. I would encourage all dance lovers to seek out her work. It moved the person next to me to tears.

The second piece, a duet choreographed by Didy Veldman, was also stunning. Setting up two lovers in a space that looked, to me, like a boxing ring, the piece explored codependency, passion, and friendship through unbelievably intricate shapes and balancing acts that always looked elegant, never circus-y.

The second half contained a short piece, Capriccio, which I was enthralled by. I never doubted that the Carlos Acosta academy would produce spectacular male dancers, but it still felt brave to have a queer love story between two men on stage, dancing together with such power and intimacy. I really loved it.

The last piece, Mundo Interpretado by Juliano Nunez, was the only piece that didn’t win me over right away. I found the opening sequence to be a little tedious and it was the only dance where the troupe wasn’t completely in sync. However, as soon as it broke into two pas-de-deuxs that’s where the real magic began. By the end, my heart was shining out of my eyes.

The performance as a whole was, at brief moments, still a school recital. This was most clear in the transitions between pieces. However, if this is a school piece, then I cannot wait to see what these dancers do when they’re part of a fully professional troupe.

Acosta Danza Yunior: Next Generation is running at Sadler’s Wells East until Saturday 20 June.

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Photo Credit: Jayne Jackson