Carlos Acosta packed out The Lowry at MIF07 – and tickets were equally hard to come by at MIF09, when he returned with an enthralling mixed programme. Focusing on the male muse in ballet, the evening combined Acosta’s flawless interpretations of Balanchine’s Apollo and Robbins’ A Suite of Dances, the latter a duet with celebrated cellist Natalie Clein, with Young Apollo, a specially commissioned new work by contemporary choreographer Adam Hougland that featured rising stars Anaïs Chalendard and Junior de Oliveira Souza.

‘The sexiest thing I’ve seen on stage for some time’ The Observer

Commissioned by Manchester International Festival, Salford City Council and Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Produced by Manchester International Festival and Como No.