Manon: The Royal Ballet's magnificent revival

Francesca Hayward as Manon with The Royal Ballet in Kenneth MacMillan's Manon

Francesca Hayward as Manon and Marcelino Sambé as Des Grieux in Manon

Marcelino Sambé as Des Grieux and Francesca Hayward as Manon in Manon

Francesca Hayward as Manon and Marcelino Sambé as Des Grieux in Manon

By Jonathan Gray, 18 January 2024

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“The two were spellbinding, phenomenal, astonishing”

Reviewed at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on 17 January 2024

Manon (Sir Kenneth MacMillan)

The Royal Ballet

Koen Kessels, Conductor

Nicholas Georgiadis, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Jacopo Pantani, Lighting Designer

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Francesca Hayward, Dancer

Marcelino Sambé, Dancer

Alexander Campbell, Dancer

Mayara Magri, Dancer

Gary Avis, Dancer

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Graham Watts, 30th March

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****1

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Naomi Mori, 19th March

National Ballet of Japan in Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon has been revived six years after its performances were cancelled because of the pandemic. Exceptionally good interpretations led the opening night performance.

****1

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Vikki Jane Vile, 30th November

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Jonathan Gray

Jonathan Gray was born in Wales and studied at The Royal Ballet School, Leicester Polytechnic and Wimbledon School of Art. He was a member of the curatorial department of The Theatre Museum, London, from 1989 until 2005, and was editor of Dancing Times from 2008 until its closure in 2022.