CArloS ACoSTA

auctions, has wowed crowds at the film festivals of Dubai, Edinburgh and Hong Kong. April 7

Vox Cinemas, Nation Galleria, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, 7pm, free, booking essential. Tel: (02) 3336400. Taxi: Nation Galleria. abudhabifestival.ae 1973 Carlos Acosta is born in Havana, Cuba, the 11th child of an impoverished family. His childhood is spent without toys and often without shoes. 1991 An energetic child, Acosta’s father sends him to a state-funded dance school in hopes it will keep his son on the straight and narrow – and provide him with a free lunch every day. In 1991, he graduates, receiving his diploma with maximum qualifications and a gold medal. 1993 Acosta joins the Houston Ballet as a principal dancer, and stays for five years, during which time he performs some of ballet’s most famous male roles. 1997 CBs News films Acosta for a 60 Minutes special, following him during performances at the Houston Ballet and at home, in Cuba. 1998 Acosta moves to The Royal Ballet in London, where he remains a member until 2015. In 2003, he is promoted to the position of Principal Guest Artist in order to free him up for more international guest appearances and tours. 2003 Acosta’s first original ballet, Tocororo, debuts, featuring a 17-strong cast he has chosen himself from Cuba’s young companies. 2009 Acosta appears as the lead character in the Natalie Portman-directed segment of New York, I Love You. 2014 Acosta is appointed a Commander Of The Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2014 New Year’s Honours list for services to ballet.