Carlos Acosta at 50
Royal Opera House | ★★★★★
A dancer’s career, by virtue of the enormous physical demands placed upon the body, is short. Very few top ballet dancers continue past their mid-40s and those who do often take on more character-led secondary roles rather than the virtuoso leads.
Carlos Acosta retired a few years ago and now directs the Birmingham Royal Ballet, but he is making a brief return to the Covent Garden stage – home to some of his greatest triumphs – in celebration of his 50th birthday.
In a varied programme he has wisely chosen not to attempt more arduous classical roles but has opted to show off his still considerable skills in other works.
While most men have acquired a bit of a paunch by the time they enter their sixth decade, Acosta remains supremely toned with a physique I can only describe as Greek god-like.
This is quite appropriate, as the curtain rose on opening night with him as Apollo, in Balanchine’s short work. He still has a commanding presence – how the audience cheered – and the dancing is impressive. His entrechats are neat, though I noticed a lack of height in his arabesque line in the Manon bedroom pas de deux – but I am being picky.
He was partnered in several pieces by Marianela Nunez. They shone in the Act II pas de deux from Swan Lake, though when taken out of context and without the glorious backdrop of the corps de ballet, it does lose something.
Carlos Acosta in Apollo (Photo: Tristram Kento)
They coped admirably with the music tempo which was extremely slow, even for a piece which is meant to be played adagio.
Other works were performed by his friends (and a relative – Yonah Acosta, his nephew). Acosta Junior zipped through the flashy Le Corsaire pas de deux with his wife Laurretta Summerscales.
There was a standout performance from Brandon Lawrence in a short work by Valery Panov (remember him and his fight to get to Israel?) Lawrence, wearing very little, showed off his exquisite musculature. He has the most amazing body and uses it to great effect.
The evening closed with Acosta’s Cuban company Acosta Danza in a short excerpt from Tocoroco. It was a joyful close to a wonderful evening and when Acosta’s three little daughters joined him on the stage at the end, the audience could not have been happier. As Acosta approaches the sunset of what has been a glorious career, others are just embarking on their journey in the world of ballet.
Two weeks ago I was privileged to watch the Royal Ballet School’s summer performance at the Royal Opera House.
At the matinee – packed with cheering family and friends – the dancers performed with commitment and enthusiasm, and it is good to know that all this year’s graduates have been offered contracts with companies around the world.
It was enchanting watching them – especially the youngest dancers, pupils at White Lodge – as they no doubt aspire to careers as long and successful as Carlos Acosta’s.
Carlos at 50 is at the Royal Opera House until 30 July
