Havana Rakatan at the Peacock Theatre

The sizzling Cuban dance production returns to the Peacock Theatre for its sixth season. Since its debut in the UK in 2007, Nilda Guerra’s expert direction and intricate choreography have been transporting audiences across the world to the streets of Havana, and revealing the history of Cuba through its national passion for dance.

Beginning with the country’s 500-year-old Afro Flamenco roots and ending in modern day Salsa, Havana Rakatan brings history alive in a unique journey that traces the evolution of dance in Cuba.

The entire performance is a non-stop whirlwind of lightning-quick footwork, impossibly agile limbs and sexy shimmying. With no visual set, the dancers tell stories using costume and movement; the Manicero section throws the audience into a Cuban market place full of colour, drama, drunkenness and cat-fights with exaggerated charm, humour and a charismatic physical performance.

Audiences will recognise the sensual, dignified Bolero and fast-paced Cha-cha-cha from Strictly Come Dancing, and the TV show is no doubt due some thanks for the current popularity of live dance shows. Amazing costumes are aplenty in the show, but exhibitionistic Rumba En Luyano showcases them perfectly – colourful, full of movement and incredibly sexy.

Aside from the boundless hip-shaking energy of the dancers, traditional Cuban “son” band Turquino give an effortlessly cool performance, providing an infectious soundtrack and authentic backdrop to the onstage action.

For fans of dance, music or culture, Havana Rakatan is an engrossing performance that provides a genuine taste of the Cuban way of life. By the end of the performance you’ll be dreaming of a trip to sunny Havana, and shaking your hips all the way to the airport.

Sarah Edmonds

Havana Rakatan is at the Peacock Theatre until 24^th May 2014. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Watch clips of Havana Rakatan at Sadler’s Wells here: