Havana Rakatan

This show has now closed, click here for a listing of current and future London shows

Dance From 23 May to 10 June 2007

Peacock Theatre Portugal Street, Kingsway, London

The acclaimed Cuban company Ballet Rakatan present the UK Premiere of their show Havana Rakatan in London for a strictly limited 2½ week season at The Peacock Theatre.

From the sexy, spontaneous rumba to the slick footwork of the cha-cha-cha, this is a show that's guaranteed to get heads nodding and feet tapping. Set to live Cuban music courtesy of Cuba's well-known son band Turquino, Havana Rakatan is a captivating journey through the dance and music of a truly unique country.

Havana Rakatan promises to bring a slice of Havana flavour to London as high-octane Cuban dance combines with an awe-inspiring Cuban band in this spectacular new show direct from the world's most soulful city. Beginning with the Cuban fusion of Spanish culture and African spiritual beliefs, Ballet Rakatan's show takes us through a rich mix of flamenco, Yoruba and Afro-Haitian rhythms, before moving on to the modern forms of salsa that originated in the early twentieth century salon dances. Jazz, mambo, bolero, son, cha-cha-cha, rumba and salsa all come alive in a dazzling dance display of Cuban passion.

Founded in Havana in 2001 by director and choreographer Nilda Guerra, Ballet Rakatan strives to explore new frontiers creatively and commercially as a rare independent Cuban dance company. The company received national accreditation in June 2002 for its artistic achievements. Since then the vision has evolved into what today is certainly one of the most versatile, exciting collections of dance talent to come out of Cuba in some time.