International ballet star Carlos Acosta promises exhilarating entertainment for all when he brings his two world-class dance companies to The Lowry, Salford in February and March of next year.

First up on 22 and 23 February is his Havana-based company Acosta Danza who present 100% Cuban, five works packed full of Cuban flair and flavour performed by the company’s twelve incredible dancers. Just six days later, from 2 to 5 March, Birmingham Royal Ballet comes to town with Acosta’s brand-new version of Don Quixote, an explosion of Spanish sunshine, spectacular dance and vivacious comedy.

In 2020, Acosta Danza’s performances at The Lowry were cancelled because of the pandemic so Dance Consortium is delighted to be finally be bringing the Havana- company to Salford. 100% Cuban is a new mixed bill of five works, all infused with Cuba’s rich music and dance influences.

The programme includes three new works from exciting young Cuban choreographers: Liberto is a duet created by company dancer Raúl Reinoso. Through a mix of folk and contemporary dance styles, fiction and mythology, Reinoso conjures Cuba’s ancestral Yoruba gods to tell the story of a runaway slave. Hybrid is a new commission for the company’s twelve dancers from Norge Cedeno Raffo. It’s a piece about is a piece about freedom and love and how human beings can change the world when they are united. De Punta a Cabo by Alexis Fernández (Maca) is set against the backdrop of the Malecón, the most famous seaside avenue in Cuba. In the piece for twelve dancers, Maca shares his impressions of contemporary Cuba in all its glorious life-enhancing contrasts.

Also on the bill are two hits from the 2020 tour: Pontus Lidberg’s Paysage, Soudain, la nuit and Spanish choreographer Maria Rovira’s solo Impronta.

Acosta says: “I am thrilled that Acosta Danza is at last going to be performing in Salford after such a difficult time for the industry. I look forward to sharing the 100% Cuban programme and showcasing some of the finest Cuban dancers I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Carlos Acosta took up the role of Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2020 and Don Quixote is a ballet very close to his heart. He has performed it since the age of 16 and it was the first full-length work he made for the Royal Ballet.

His sparkling new 21st century version, created especially for Birmingham Royal Ballet, features music by one of the founding fathers of Russian ballet music Ludwig Minkus performed live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, and all-new designs by Tim Hatley.

Don Quixote introduces us to Cervantes’ famous knight himself, lovers Kitri and Basilio and a host of supporting characters. As the Don sets out on a quest to track down his true love, with his loyal friend and servant Sancho Panza at his side, he finds himself embroiled in an unlikely adventure of love and dreams.

Acosta says: “This is a completely new production of Don Quixote with new concept and designs, re-orchestration, new elements of the choreography, new colours, a whole new palette. Don Quixote is really popular with dancers – it is a ballet for virtuosos. Also, it’s a production which gives opportunities to a large ballet company because there are a lot of roles for everyone so it’s a real showcase.”