The original Nutcracker Ballet has roots in the successful 1890 Russian Ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, and rose to further prominence with music used in the Walt Disney Film, Fantasia. Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana is an original take on the traditional festive classic, set to an exuberant Cuban version of the enduring Tchaikovsky score. It isn’t the first adaptation, as Alexandre Dumas's 1844 short story The Nutcracker is itself a retelling of E. T. A. Hoffmann's 1816 short story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
True to the original ballet, Acosta Danzas production is split into two acts and performed by 25 dancers from the Havana-based company. It also retains the classic story of a young girl transported to a magical world, but the European feel is replaced by a Cuban vibe.
Act 1 begins with a large projection screen flying us through the streets of Havana, with the screen lifting to reveal the inside of the home of Tio Elias Drosselmeyer, who is returning home after being away in Miami for 30 years. Before his arrival, the Christmas festivities are well underway for his family. The house is a basic timber-walled, palm thatched-roof family home, including a skinny Christmas tree decorated with empty cola and beer cans as thrifty decorations. The celebrations are hectic as they exchange basic presents, including a dead rat as a prank.
Tio returns home, having mastered the art of magic, and with a few mystical strokes, transforms the family home into a mansion and also the quality of his family clothing and presents. The costumes and stage set are impressively switched in the blink of an eye and it is the first indication that this is a slick production from a staging and costume perspective. The colourful costumes are paramount in ensuring the illusion of having been transported to a faraway Caribbean Island.
The dancing is excellent throughout the first act, with the chancleta dance around the maypole both impressive and an important cultural nod toward Cuban history. The highlight of the opening act was the snow dance as the prince whisks Clara away to the Kingdom of Sweets. Although the stage set is mainly projections on screens, it is done well and the snowfall during the snow dance is the perfect end to the first half of the 2-hour show (including interval).
Act 2 is set in the Kingdom of Sweets, with Clara having arrived there with the prince on his magical 1957 Chevrolet Corvette. She sits on a throne and, along with the audience, is treated to a dance extravaganza. There is a whole array of dancers, seemingly more intricate as they progress, lining up to impress the prince’s guest. In response, Clara proceeds to teach them the chancleta dance.
The choreography and quality of dancing during this section are stunning and accompanied by a punchy update to Tchaikovsky’s original score. It would be unfair to single out any particular dancer, as the entire troupe is breathtaking.
When Clara awakes, she is left wondering if it was all a dream and if she will return one day. It was the perfect ending.
This production is a stylish, funky and fun interpretation of one of the world’s best-loved ballets, giving a small insight into a different festive culture.
A fantastic way to start 2026.
Production run (The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield): Wednesday 7th January – Saturday 10th January 2026
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/carlos-acostas-nutcracker-in-havana/dates
Reviewer: Matthew Burgin
On: 7th January 2026
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