Manon

In a world where extravagant riches and abject poverty exist side by side, Manon is caught in-between. She falls in love with a penniless student, but is lured into becoming the mistress of a rich gentleman. From giddiness to despair, triumph to regret, this Manon is “searingly powerful” (The Guardian).

“Handsomely staged, meticulously rehearsed and vividly danced” (The Spectator), English National Ballet’s production of Kenneth MacMillan’s ballet features compelling characters, gasp-inducing love duets and larger than life scenes, all set to a haunting score by Jules Massenet, played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic.

In 18th century Paris, Manon, a young woman on her way to a convent, meets Des Grieux, a student, and they fall in love, fleeing together to Paris. Her brother, Lescaut, has promised to arrange for Manon to become the mistress of the wealthy Monsieur GM, and despite her love for Des Grieux, Manon is eventually enticed by GM’s wealth. In a failed attempt to escape their troubled situation, Des Grieux is caught cheating at cards, and both are forced to flee again. Manon is arrested and deported to New Orleans, where Des Grieux follows her, but their desperate escape ends tragically as Manon dies in his arms after being broken by hardship.

This performance of Manon was filmed at the Manchester Opera House in October 2018 for archive purposes, and is now available to rent online.

Principal Cast

Manon – Alina Cojocaru
Des Grieux – Joseph Caley
Lescaut (Manon’s brother) – Jeffrey Cirio
Monsieur GM – James Streeter
Lescaut’s Mistress – Katja Khaniukova
Madame – Jane Haworth
Gaoler – Fabian Reimair