HAVANA, Cuba.- Cuba’s Contemporary Dance Ensemble is currently rehearsing the piece Sombrisa, which will be premiered at the Theatre Royal of the English city of Newcastle, official venue of the boxing competitions during the upcoming 30th Summer Olympic Games.

The author of the piece, Israeli choreographer Itzik Galili, who lives in Holland, told CAN that it’s a pleasure for him to work with that troupe, for its high professionalism.

During the conversation at the company’s headquarters, Galili specified that he drew inspiration from boxing, taking as a starting point the island’s tradition in this sport, as well as the performance of renowned figures standing out in the history of that discipline in the Caribbean nation.

The 24-minute piece, with music by Steve Reich, is interpreted by 18 dancers.

According to the troupe’s director, Miguel Iglesias, the program, which will begin on May 3 and be expanded to 10 cities of the United Kingdom, includes, in addition to this premiere, the choreographies Carmen and Mambo 3 XXI.

Before the premiere, the company will perform at the Maschinenhaus Theater in VW- Heizkraftwerk, Germany, with these last two creations and Demo-N/Crazy.

With regard to the presentation of Sombrisa in Havana, with the cooperation of lighting designer Yaron Abulafa, he explained that the public will have the opportunity to enjoy it on July 14 and 15, as part of the premiere of Regalo de Malakov, by the famous Russian classic interpreter, who will share the stage with Cuban dancers and in the presentation of which the popular duo Buena Fe will perform.

Galili is the artistic director and founder of the Dansgroep Amsterdam and of the NND/Galili Dance Groningen and is presently an independent choreographer.