MANON — SEASON OF ROYAL BALLET & ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

In the dark district of 18th-century Paris, money rules. There is no holiness — even love can be bought at the right price. Coming from this hedonistic underworld, Manon finds herself torn between differing desires when she falls in love with student Des Grieux. A steadfast and devoted boyfriend offers her the opportunity to live a dignified life. However, the riches promised by Parisian society remain tempting... Manon's inner turmoil and her struggle for survival form the core of Kenneth MacMillan's devastating 1974 adaptation of Abbé Prévost's novel. In this work, characteristic of The Royal Ballet, MacMillan's understanding of the subtle nuances of the human psyche allows for an uncompromising look at the moral degrengolade of Paris in the time of Manon, with all its decadence and decline brought to life by the music of Jules Massenet and the scenography of Nicholas Georgiadis. Duration: 195 min. (including two breaks)