Carlos Acosta in Romeo and Juliet

The Royal ballet’s definitive production of Romeo and Juliet (music by Prokofiev) with Cuban superstar dancer Carlos Acosta (2007)

From a review in London’s Guardian newspaper on his farewell Romeo last year: “Last night Carlos Acosta, the greatest male classical dancer of his generation, took his final call on the ballet stage. “Thank you, Carlos!” someone shouted as Acosta stepped forward on Monday night, moved to tears by the standing ovation. Thank you indeed. Few have done more in recent years to popularise ballet, or to inspire young men to dance, than Acosta. Born into poverty in Havana 43 years ago, he was dispatched to the state-funded Cuban National Ballet School by a father who despaired of his waywardness. His talent was prodigious. Clean, confident leaps, dashing footwork, perfectly weighted turns. But it was the breadth of his dramatic skills that set him apart. A natural stage aristocrat, he took breezy command of any space he entered. This was a leader, a man you’d follow to hell and back. He had a glorious gift for comedy too. To watch Acosta perform was to be in ballet heaven. He was unbeatable.”