Following its UK premiere in July 2024, Acosta Danza announces a UK Tour of Carlos Acosta’s adaptation of Bizet’s famous opera Carmen, 180 years after Prosper Mérimée’s eponymous story was first published. The tour will open at Richmond Theatre (8 – 11 Apr) before touring to Aylesbury Waterside (15 – 18 Apr), Grand Opera House, Manchester (22 – 25 Apr), Brighton Theatre Royal (29 Apr – 2 May) and finally New Victoria Theatre Working (6 – 9 May).
Don José falls in love with Carmen and sacrifices everything to be with her. When Carmen becomes infatuated with the toreador Escamillo, she loses interest in Don José, whose love quickly turns to murderous jealousy.
Acosta’s new version retains the story’s universal and timeless themes in a stripped back setting.
Carlos Acosta said: “I am delighted to be touring my production of Carmen in 2026. For this full-length ballet I had the pleasure of being reunited with the original creative team of Tim Hatley and Peter Mumford as well as being joined by Nina Dunn who has augmented the production value of the work by introducing some really amazing visual projections. Bringing all these elements together alongside the memorable score of Shchedrin and Bizet makes for a vibrant and exciting production. I also take great joy and pride in seeing my amazing Acosta Danza dancers flourish as we continue to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the company.”
The melodies of Bizet’s Carmen have secured the opera’s hold on the popular imagination –Escamillo’s “Toreador Song”, Carmen’s “Habanera”, Don José’s “Flower Song” and many passages for orchestra and chorus are among the most widely known pieces of Western classical music.
Carlos Acosta was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1973 and discovered ballet relatively late, at the age of nine. His prodigious talent propelled him to become, at just 18, the youngest principal dancer in the history of English National Ballet. In 1998 he joined The Royal Ballet in London, where he quickly became a beloved audience favourite. He was appointed CBE in 2014 for his services to dance and retired from classical ballet in 2016. In 2015, he founded Acosta Danza, and since 2020 he has served as Artistic Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet.
The creative team for Carmen includes Set and Costume Designer Tim Hatley, Lighting Designer Peter Mumford and Video Designer Nina Dunn. The 20-strong company of dancers includes: Adria Díaz, Amisaday Naara, Daniela Urgelles, Thalia Cardin, Cynthia Laffertté, Melisa Moreda, Wendy Friol, Ofelia Semanat, Carolina Castillo, Maria del Carmen, Heidy Diaz, Frank Isaac, Leandro Fernández, Brandy Martinez, Alexander Arias, Aniel Pazos, Paul Brando, Anthony Silot, Edgar Zayas and Guest Artist Alejandro Silva.
Visit https://acostadanza.com/ to learn more about Acosta Danza’s 2026 Carmen tour.
