A Modern Classic Returns

Back for the 2026/27 season! An irresistible modern classic, Manon is the tale of a country girl turned femme fatale. In Sir Kenneth Macmillan's beautifully choreographed production, set to Jules Massenet's arresting score, passion and tragedy reign as this story of lost love spans the demimonde of Paris to the Bayous of Louisiana.

What Is The Story?

Manon is a country girl being escorted to a convent for her own safety. However, at an inn, she escapes with the poor student Des Grieux, who has fallen in love with her. An older gentleman, Geronte, who had conspired with her brother to take her as his mistress, is furious.

In Paris, Manon is given a femme fatale makeover and becomes a celebrated society girl, having left Des Grieux for Geronte, but she simply cannot forget about their love. When the Germans start cracking down on the Parisian excess, Manon is interred in prison under suspicion of being a spy, with her brother and Des Grieux attempting to break her out, causing her brother to lose his life in the failed attempt.

Manon is sentenced to be transported abroad, but she and Des Grieux find themselves in an unfamiliar castle, where she is deathly ill. As Des Grieux attempts to find help, she lapses in and out of consciousness and finally dies in his arms.