Australia Dancing

Manon

McMurdo, Don: Greg Horsman and Lisa Pavane as Des Grieux and Manon in 'Manon', the Australian Ballet [3], 1994

Kenneth MacMillan's Manon, a ballet based on Abbe Prevost's novel Manon Lescaut and set to the music of Jules Massenet, was created in 1974 when MacMillan was artistic director of the Royal Ballet. It was first performed by the Australian Ballet in 1994, staged by Monica Parker and Patricia Ruanne, with design by Peter Farmer and lighting by William Akers.

Set in eighteenth-century French society, Manon is a large-scale dramatic and emotional work, a tale of romance and betrayal that explores the conflicting forces of money and love on the central character, Manon. Her fall from Parisian courtesan, through deportation to America, to her final tragic end in the swamps of Louisiana is expressed through MacMillan's distinctive choreographic style, with trademark pas de deux sequences a particular feature. The arrangement of music by Leighton Lucas is taken from Massenet's songs, piano pieces and arias, although none is from his opera Manon.

For the Australian premiere, February 25, 1994 at the State Theatre, Victorian Arts Centre, Lisa Pavane danced the title role, with Greg Horsman as her lover Des Grieux, Steven Heathcote as her brother Lescaut and Sian Stokes as his mistress. During the ensuing Sydney season, Alessandra Ferri appeared as guest artist in the title role. In 2001 four performances of Manon were presented in association with the Melbourne festival and featured guest artists Sylvie Guillem and Laurent Hilaire dancing with the Australian Ballet. Manon has remained in the repertoire of the flagship company and featured Kirsty Martin as Manon and Robert Curran as Des Grieux in the opening performance of the 2008 season, with Steven Heathcote and Sian Stokes appearing as guest artists in the roles of Monsieur GM and Madame.

Research Materials

Picture

McMurdo, Don: Artists of the Australian Ballet in 'Manon' [1], 1994

McMurdo, Don: Artists of the Australian Ballet in 'Manon' [1], 1994 (Picture): Australian Ballet, The; Location:; Don McMurdo performing arts collection; National Library of Australia; PIC PIC/5022/A/9a LOC Cold store PIC McM Album 1003/17
nla.pic-an23389635

McMurdo, Don: Artists of the Australian Ballet in 'Manon' [2], 1994

McMurdo, Don: Artists of the Australian Ballet in 'Manon' [2], 1994 (Picture): Australian Ballet, The; Location:; Don McMurdo performing arts collection; National Library of Australia; PIC PIC/5022/A/39a LOC Cold store PIC McM Album 1003/17
nla.pic-an23389582

McMurdo, Don: Artists of the Australian Ballet in 'Manon' [3], 1994

McMurdo, Don: Artists of the Australian Ballet in 'Manon' [3], 1994 (Picture): Australian Ballet, The; Location:; Don McMurdo performing arts collection; National Library of Australia; PIC PIC/5022/F/26a LOC Cold store PIC McM Album 1003/17
nla.pic-an23389666

McMurdo, Don: Artists of the Australian Ballet in 'Manon' [4], 1994

McMurdo, Don: Artists of the Australian Ballet in 'Manon' [4], 1994 (Picture): Australian Ballet, The; Location:; Don McMurdo performing arts collection; National Library of Australia; PIC PIC/5022/E/10a LOC Cold store PIC McM Album 1003/17
nla.pic-an23389663

McMurdo, Don: Greg Horsman and Lisa Pavane as Des Grieux and Manon in 'Manon', the Australian Ballet [1], 1994

McMurdo, Don: Greg Horsman and Lisa Pavane as Des Grieux and Manon in 'Manon', the Australian Ballet [1], 1994 (Picture): Pavane, Lisa ; Australian Ballet, The; Location:; Don McMurdo performing arts collection; National Library of Australia; PIC PIC/5022/C/1a LOC Cold store PIC McM Album 1003/17
nla.pic-an23389674

McMurdo, Don: Greg Horsman and Lisa Pavane as Des Grieux and Manon in 'Manon', the Australian Ballet [2], 1994

McMurdo, Don: Greg Horsman and Lisa Pavane as Des Grieux and Manon in 'Manon', the Australian Ballet [2], 1994 (Picture): Pavane, Lisa ; Australian Ballet, The; Location:; Don McMurdo performing arts collection; National Library of Australia; PIC PIC/5022/D/3a LOC Cold store
nla.pic-an23389649

McMurdo, Don: Jonathan Kelly and Lisa Pavane as Monsieur G.M. and Manon in 'Manon', the Australian Ballet, 1994

McMurdo, Don: Jonathan Kelly and Lisa Pavane as Monsieur G.M. and Manon in 'Manon', the Australian Ballet, 1994 (Picture): Pavane, Lisa ; Australian Ballet, The; Location:; Don McMurdo performing arts collection; National Library of Australia; PIC PIC/5022/B/5 LOC Cold store PIC McM Album 1003/17
nla.pic-an23389646

McMurdo, Don: Nicole Rhodes in 'Manon', The Australian Ballet, 1994

McMurdo, Don: Nicole Rhodes in 'Manon', The Australian Ballet, 1994 (Picture): Australian Ballet, The; Location:; Don McMurdo performing arts collection; National Library of Australia; PIC PIC/5022/D/31a LOC Cold store PIC McM Album 1003/17
nla.pic-an23389652

McMurdo, Don: Steven Heathcote as Lescaut in 'Manon', The Australian Ballet [1], 1994

McMurdo, Don: Steven Heathcote as Lescaut in 'Manon', The Australian Ballet [1], 1994 (Picture): Heathcote, Steven ; Australian Ballet, The; Location:; Don McMurdo performing arts collection; National Library of Australia; PIC PIC/5022/A/43a LOC Cold store PIC McM Album 1003/17
nla.pic-an23389629

McMurdo, Don: Steven Heathcote as Lescaut in 'Manon', the Australian Ballet [2], 1994

McMurdo, Don: Steven Heathcote as Lescaut in 'Manon', the Australian Ballet [2], 1994 (Picture): Heathcote, Steven ; Australian Ballet, The; Location:; Don McMurdo performing arts collection; National Library of Australia; PIC PIC/5022/G/0 LOC Cold store PIC McM Album 1003/17
nla.pic-an23389669

McMurdo, Don: Steven Woodgate as the Beggar Chief in 'Manon', the Australian Ballet, 1994, 1994

McMurdo, Don: Steven Woodgate as the Beggar Chief in 'Manon', the Australian Ballet, 1994, 1994 (Picture): Australian Ballet, The; Location:; Don McMurdo performing arts collection; National Library of Australia; PIC PIC/5022/G/9 LOC Cold store PIC McM Album 1003/17
nla.pic-an23389671

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