Live Satellite screening from The Royal Opera House

★★★★★“As vixen, coquette and victim, the Royal Ballet’s Francesca Hayward, Natalia Osipova and Marianela Nuñez all touch greatness in the coveted role of Kenneth MacMillan’s tragic heroine.”  The Guardian

Kenneth MacMillan’s source for Manon was the 18th-century French novel already adapted for opera by Massenet and Puccini. The premiere was given on 7 March 1974

MacMillan’s spectacular ensemble scenes for the whole Company create vivid, complex portraits of the distinct societies of Paris and New Orleans. But it is Manon and Des Grieux’s impassioned pas de deux – recalling the intensity of MacMillan’s earlier Romeoand Juliet – that drive this tragic story,and make Manon one of MacMillan’s
most powerful dramas.

★★★★★“There are no minor characters in this ballet. You could write a novel about any of them.”

The Guardian

MacMillan found new sympathy with the capricious Manon and her struggle to escape poverty. Designs by his regular collaborator Nicholas Georgiadis reflect this, depicting a world of lavish splendour polluted by miserable destitution

Manon’s brother Lescaut is offering her to the highest bidder when she meets Des Grieux and falls in love. They elope to Paris, but when Monsieur G.M. offers Manon a life of luxury as his mistress she can’t resist. With the Lescauts’ encouragement Des Grieux cheats at cards in an attempt to win Monsieur G.M.’s fortune. They are caught. Manon is arrested as a prostitute and deported to New Orleans, followed by Des Grieux. On the run, Manon dies from exhaustion.

★★★★‘succulent depravity’ The Stage

★★★★“Francesca Hayward brings a fresh spontaneity” The Independent

 The ballet quickly became a staple of The Royal Ballet’s repertory, and a touchstoneof adult, dramatic dance.

. APPROXIMATE RUNNING TIME:
2 HOURS 35 MINUTES, INCLUDING
TWO INTERVALS

Please note that Manon contains scenes of an adult nature, including sexual violence

Manon has been given a 15 certificate