The exceptional Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta stars at the inaugural Manchester International Festival in what heralds the start of a partnership with the Festival. Acosta, who has been described as the world’s greatest male ballet dancer, presents a mix of new and existing work in a showcase that includes the world premiere of the ‘Tocororo Suite’ using the full Tocororo Company of 18 dancers and a live Cuban band. In this programme Acosta will also perform the pas de deux from ‘Le Corsaire’ with Yiensgay Valdes, (Prima Ballerina, Ballet Nacional de Cuba) and presents the UK premiere of ‘Equation’ performed by four members of the Danza Contemporanea de Cuba. ‘Tocororo: A Cuban Tale’, which marked Acosta’s debut as choreographer, is semi-autobiographical, based upon his own remarkable story. The son of a Cuban truck-driver and one of 11 children who grew up in a cramped Havana apartment, Acosta was a somewhat wild child who played truant from school and became a champion break-dancer. Acosta dreamed of being a footballer, but his father sent him to ballet school at the age of nine in an attempt to harness his energy. Eight years later, he was achieving acclaim around the world. Since those early days, Acosta has been garlanded with awards wherever he’s performed. He’s danced for everyone from Fidel Castro to the Queen, while his life has been documented on radio and TV. In February, he was awarded the 2007 Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance. Currently, Acosta is Principal Guest Artist with the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden. The Festival is delighted to welcome this genius of dance whose rags-to-riches story and phenomenal talent have already made him an artistic icon. Artists: Carlos Acosta Yiensgay Valdes (prima ballerina, Ballet Nacional de Cuba) Tocororo Company Danza Contemporanea de Cuba