MacMillan /Massenet: Manon (The Royal Ballet)

Sarah Lamb (Manon); Vadim Muntagirov (Des Grieux); Ryoichi Hirano (Lescaut); Gary Avis (Monsieur G.M.); Itziar Mendizabal (Lescaut's Mistress); Kristen McNally (Madame); Thomas Whitehead (The Gaoler); James Hay (Begger Chief);

Sarah Lamb and Vadim Muntagirov star as tragic lovers Manon and Des Grieux in this performance of Kenneth MacMillan's 'Manon', a classic of the Royal Ballet repertory.

Nicholas Georgidas' period designs set the ballet in the contrasting worlds of Paris luxury and Louisiana swampland, while the intense emotion of MacMillan's choreography is complemented by a score drawn from Massenet's music.

The impassioned pas de deux from Manon and Des Grieux drive this tragic story, and make 'Manon' one of MacMillan's most powerful dramas.

Recorded in true Surround Sound.

Reviews

"Kenneth MacMillan’s retelling of Abbé Prévost’s cautionary tale of a young man brought low by an amoral young beauty has been a mainstay of the Royal Ballet repertoire since 1974. The current revival is vividly played and danced by some first-rate casts." (The Financial Times ★★★★★)

"Vadim Muntagirov made his debut as Des Grieux, bringing puppyish, longing and a beautiful, long line to the characters yearning solos. As Manon, Sarah Lamb was heart-breaking, the delicious delicacy of her early scenes replaced by an overwhelming sensual pleasure in her own power, and finally despair." (The Telegraph ★★★★)

"Irresistible…" (The Daily Express ★★★★★)

Extra features

An Introduction; Creating the Courtesans; Darcey Bussell interviews Deborah MacMillan