Yuli: The Carlos Acosta Story

About the Show

Carlos Acosta broke boundaries and became the first black Principal dancer of The Royal Ballet. He was the Company’s Principal Guest Artist for 17 years, and retired from classical ballet in 2016. Yuli: The Carlos Acosta Story is a film inspired by his life.

Sung in English. This event combines a special screening of the film in the new Linbury Theatre with an interview and Q&A with the director, screenwriter and Acosta himself. The film, as well as a live broadcast of the Q&A, will be streamed to cinemas across the UK. The film is based on Acosta’s autobiography, No Way Home: a Cuban Dancer’s Story. It shows him growing up in Cuba, becoming a dancer and moving to London. The film follows his relationship with his father, who gave him the nickname Yuli, and encouraged him to leave his country and forge a career on the international stage. Directed by Iciar Bollain and written by Paul Laverty (I, Daniel Blake), the film won best screenplay at the San Sebastian International Film Festival and received five nominations for the Spanish ‘Goya’ awards including Best New Actor for Carlos Acosta, Best Cinematography and Best Adapted Screenplay.