WORLD famous, but rarely seen outside of Cuba, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba celebrates its 50th anniversary with its first ever major UK tour with performances at The Churchill theatre, Bromley, on March 16 and 17.

News Shopper: Danza Contemporanea de Cuba performing in Newcastle

The eight venue tour sees the dance company collaborating with leading international choreographers Rafael Bonachela and Jan Linkens and includes two UK premieres, including Mambo 3XXI by young Danza Contemporanea de Cuba principal George Cespedes.

Featuring an electronic mambo soundtrack by progressive Cuban electro group Nacional Electrónica, Mambo 3XXI had its world premiere in Havana last December and is commissioned by Sadler’s Wells, DanceEast and Dance Consortium.

News Shopper: Danza Contemporanea de Cuba performing in Newcastle

The programme also features Rafael Bonachela’s Demo-N/Crazy, which was conceived as a result of an exchange initiated by Assis Carreiro of DanceEast in 2007.

The piece is set to Latin music by Julia Wolf and is inspired by the intimacy that Bonachela observed between the Cuban dancers. Folia by former Dutch National Ballet choreographer Jan Linkens completes the programme.

With a compulsory curriculum in contemporary dance for children aged 10 upwards, Cuba today produces some of the world’s finest contemporary dancers.

News Shopper: Danza Contemporanea de Cuba performing in Newcastle

They are schooled in a technique that mixes Graham and Afro-Caribbean methods to produce movement that is strong, fluid and technically excellent. Along with this technique Danza Contemporanea de Cuba’s work reflects the Cuban way of life, with sensual, mystical dance that is performed from the heart.

Danza Contemporanea de Cuba. The Churchill, High Street, Bromley. March 16 and 17. 0844 8717620 or visit ambassadortickets.com