An unparalleled experience is taking place on the silver screen, at Empire Premiere, Sodeco Square Beirut, on March 11, 2024, at 7:30 PM. A sincere and tragic love story comes to life under the direction of acclaimed choreographer Kenneth MacMillan.
Manon, the ballet, celebrates the essence of beauty, sensuality and the pinnacle of classical dance, immersing the audience in a whirlwind of emotions and passion.
At the heart of the narrative lies the conflict between Manon’s desire for wealth and luxury and her genuine love for the impoverished Des Grieux, which leads to dire consequences. Sent by her parents to a convent, Manon instead encounters her brother Lescaut, who is intent on exploiting his sister’s beauty for profit. Des Grieux, engrossed in his academic pursuits, seems out of place amid the dark underbelly of Regency Paris. Manon’s desperate struggle to escape poverty renders this ballet one of the most dramatic and moving performances of our time, highlighted by Nicholas Georgiadi’s evocative sets that contrast Manon’s humble beginnings with the opulent world she aspires to join.
The choreography by Kenneth MacMillan, set to the music of Jules Massenet and orchestrated by Martin Yates, features Natalia Osipova as Manon, Reece Clarke as Des Grieux, Alexander Campbell as Lescaut, G.M. Gary Avis as Monsieur and Mayara Magri as Lescaut’s Mistress.
This cinematic event is poised to be an unforgettable performance, where the dancers’ exceptional skills combined with the narrative’s power and staging invite the audience to contemplate deeply on themes of love, desire and tragic choices.
