Acosta Danza's Cuban Baroque Double-Bill at Sadler's Wells Pairs Foniadakis and Montero

Acosta Danza, the Havana-based company founded by Carlos Acosta in 2015, presented Cuban Baroque at Sadler's Wells, London from 7 to 10 October, before touring to Norwich Theatre, Norwich on 20 and 21 October. The programme paired two works placing contemporary dance in dialogue with Baroque music. The world premiere of Pearls came from Greek choreographer Andonis Foniadakis, set to music inspired by Salve Regina, an 18th century ode to the Blessed Virgin Mary by Cuban composer Esteban Salas, reworked by Julien Tarride, with lighting design by Nicolas Fischtel. Foniadakis's frenetic choreography demanded stamina and control through rapid direction changes, intricate groupings and duets, generating collective momentum but, for the reviewer, accumulating sequences without a clear dramatic trajectory. Goyo Montero's Chacona, set to the final movement of Bach's Partita No 2 in D minor from 1720, used repetition, variation and geometric formations with 16 dancers, accompanied on stage by violin, guitar and piano. A tender opening duet gave way to sculptural ensemble passages that preserved individual performers' presence. The reviewer judged Chacona the more engaging and expressive work, finding the double-bill uneven yet an exciting showcase for dancers who bring skill, stamina and presence, with the dancers outshining the choreography. The review was written by Dr Diana Carroll.