Acosta Danza Yunior Will Bring NEXT GENERATION to Sadler's Wells East

Carlos Acosta, director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, will present 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.  Performances run Wednesday 17 June - Saturday 20 June 2026.

Fuga addresses the tragedy that the constant migration of its people represents for a country like Cuba. Choreographer Susana Pous confines her dancers to a small area of the stage and from there develops a story about failed struggles, unfinished stories, pain, and empty spaces. 

Mundo Interpretado (Interpreted World), by Juliano Nunes, takes a journey from general sentiment to the spiritual essence. Dozens of water lily flowers decorate the space – an installation by Cuban visual artist Glenda León which creates a delicate and striking effect on the stage. 

New for this season, Didy Veldman has created a piece that exploits the physicality of the young artists, heirs to a rich dance tradition. 

Finally, Kit Holder takes inspiration from one of René Magritte's most famous series of paintings ‘The Lovers'. Capriccio animates the protagonists of these instantly recognisable images of a couple embracing, their faces covered by cloth.