The Royal Ballet 2026-7: Manon (12A)
In the seedy
underbelly of 18th-century Paris, money is king. Nothing is sacred – even love
itself can be bought for the right price. A native of this hedonistic
underworld, Manon is caught between twin desires when she falls in love with
the student Des Grieux. Steadfast and devoted, he offers the possibility of an
honourable life. Yet, the riches promised by the world of Parisian society
remain tempting...
Manon’s inner
turmoil and struggle for survival lie at the devastating heart of Kenneth
MacMillan’s 1974 adaptation of Abbé Prévost’s novel. In this signature work of
The Royal Ballet, MacMillan’s nuanced understanding of human psychology makes for
an unflinching look into the moral degradation of Manon’s Paris, while all its
decadence and decay are brought to life through Jules Massenet’s score and
Nicholas Georgiadis’s designs.
Approximate runtime: 3h 10min / 190min, Two
Intervals
Live from Covent Garden on Tuesday 27th October
Cast:
To be confirmed
Creatives:
Choreography KENNETH MACMILLAN
Music JULES MASSENET
Orchestration MARTIN YATES
Conductor KOEN KESSELS
Designer NICHOLAS GEORGIADIS
Lighting Designer JACOPO PANTANI