Antonio Banderas Signs International Ballet Star: ‘I Dance Better Than Ever’

Lucía Lacarra arrives in Málaga this April to direct a new dance festival at the Soho CaixaBank Theatre. The project is part of Antonio Banderas’s theatre initiative in his home city.

Festival programme and practical information

The festival runs from 11 to 19 April at the Soho CaixaBank Theatre on Calle Córdoba. It aims to spotlight Spanish and international companies across nine days.

• 11–12 April: Les Saisons — Malandain Ballet Biarritz.
• 14 April: Bavarian Junior Ballet.
• 16–17 April: Folia — French company Käfig.
• 18 April: Fordlandia — Lucía Lacarra Ballet.
• 19 April: Lost Letters — Lucía Lacarra Ballet.

Tickets are available via teatrodelsoho.com.

Early life and training

Lacarra was born in Gipuzkoa in 1975 in the town of Zumaya. Her father died when she was two years old.

She remembers watching a VHS of Swan Lake with Natalia Makarova. The image of the ballerinas inspired her. She later trained in San Sebastián after attending a summer course in Tarragona. Teachers such as Rosella Hightower recognised her potential early.

Her professional debut came at age 15. She first performed at the Teatro Falla in Cádiz.

Career highlights and recognition

Lacarra rose to prominence in major European and American companies. She held leading roles in Marseille, San Francisco, Munich and Dortmund.

She became the first Spanish dancer invited to the New Year’s Concert in Vienna. She was also named Dancer of the Decade at the Kremlin Palace.

Her prize cabinet includes the Nijinsky, the Benois de la Danse, the Max and the Premio Nacional. She later founded the Lucía Lacarra Ballet company.

Injury, recovery and artistic outlook

Her career has included serious injuries. While performing Ariel in The Tempest she tore her cruciate ligaments. Doctors doubted a full return, but she was back on stage after six months.

She also endured a dislocated toe that required two operations. Since becoming a mother, she has experienced migraines linked to three cervical hernias. Despite this, she continues to perform.

Lacarra says she once aimed to be “the last in line” in a corps de ballet. With age, she values evolution and emotional truth. She has stated simply: “I dance better than ever.”

Leadership, management and collaboration with Antonio Banderas

She began managing her own career in her twenties. Running her own company followed naturally from that work.

She met Antonio Banderas at awards for the Royal Academy of Performing Arts. She was made an honorary member the same year he received recognition. Their conversation led to this festival collaboration.

Lacarra emphasises discipline over raw talent. She still performs and does not plan a farewell date. The festival will combine her artistic vision with the resources of Banderas’s theatre.

What to expect

The programme mixes contemporary creation and classical technique. Audiences can see Lacarra as performer and curator. Filmogaz.com will follow the festival and report highlights from Málaga.