Review: Manon

***Contains spoilers – most of you will already know this famous story and we find it best to know the story before watching a ballet***

This week, the English National Ballet is in town performing Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon. With Jurgita Dronina as Manon, Isaac Hernandez as Des Grieux and Ken Saruhashi as Lescaut.

For those of you that do not know the story of Manon, here’s a quick summary. Young, penniless student, Des Grieux meets the beautiful Manon and they fall in love. Manon’s brother, Lescaut has other ideas and persuades Manon to choose the wealthy Monsieur GM instead. Lescaut makes a bargain with Monsieur GM but before he can introduce him to Manon, she has run off to Paris with Des Grieux. They have a passionate affair before Monsieur GM and Lescaut arrive and Manon is enticed to becoming the wealthy man’s mistress; Des Grieux is left distraught. In Act II Des Grieux is looking for Manon and is convinced to cheat at a poker game to get Monsieur GM’s Money and the lovers run off again and prepare to escape Paris. They are interrupted by Monsieur GM, a beaten Lescaut and armed policemen, panic ensues, Lescaut is killed and Manon is arrested. Act III takes you to New Orleans where Manon has been deported with other prostitutes to be sold as servants. Des Grieux has followed Manon to try to protect her but the Gaoler has taken an interest in Manon and forces her to please him. Des Griex breaks in, kills the Gaoler and the lovers flee. Lost in the Louisiana swamp, they are trapped, delirious and haunted, eventually the strain and anxiety is too much for Manon who dies in her lover’s arms.

As with most ballets, it is a simple story of love and loss which makes it fairly easy to follow what is happening which of course in ballet is portrayed only through the dance without dialogue or song. The dancing truly was mesmerising and there were some incredibly talented dancers on stage. From the leads to the artists of the company, each character was a joy to watch and they all played a critical part in the story and setting the scene.

The stage was one of the simplest sets that I’ve seen but was very effective with huge backdrops, a few props, lighting, smoke and stunning costumes. The orchestra were fantastic and as always at Milton Keynes Theatre, the sound was tremendous!

A highly recommended ballet whether you’re a ballet old-timer or a newbie, you will thoroughly enjoy it.

For tickets, head to www.atgtickets.com

REVIEW: Song of the Earth / La Sylphide by the English National Ballet

Song of the Earth / La Sylphide by the English National Ballet with the English National Ballet Philharmonic at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 21^st October

Song of the Earth. Music by Gustav Mahler:- Das Lied von der Erde, dance by Kenneth MacMillan. The main dancers, the woman- Tamara Rojo, the man- Joseph Caley, the messenger of death- Aaron Robison. The singers, Mezzo Soprano- Flora McIntosh, Tenor- Simon Gfeller.

The performance is set on a bare stage, with either of the singers appearing at the side to accompany each song and its dance. The dancing and the music were quite abstract, and describe the reality of love, loss and mortality. The dancers were nimble, agile and graceful in the emotions that they portrayed and were ably supported by the dancing ensemble.

Overall an excellent performance although not to our own particular taste.

La Sylphide. A romantic ballet by August Bournville, recreated by Eva Kloberg and Frank Anderson. The Dancers. The Sylph- Erina Takahasha, James- Jeffrey Cirio, Effy- Francesca Velica, Madge- Jane Haworth.

Act one, at the house:- James is about to marry Effy his fiancé, but awakes to become bewitched by beautiful Sylph (a fairy) and eventually follows her to the forest leaving his distraught fiancé. However, this is not before, he is unkind to a beggar woman and throws her out of his house whilst entertaining his wedding guests, but not before she has put a curse on him.

Act two, in the forest:- The beggar lady is a witch and puts a spell on a magic scarf, telling James that this will make the Sylph his bride, sadly following much ensemble dancing from all the Sylphs, the magic scarf kills the Sylph and James dies of a broken heart.

This is a most enjoyable ballet with an excellent story telling through the music and the great dancing. The costumes and stage set played an important part in the overall atmosphere of the performance and added greatly to this exceptional ballet. The combination of music, dance and story telling was quite extraordinary, it possessed an ethereal and lyrical atmosphere but ably portrayed the highlands were the scene was set.

In both performances all of the dancers carried the story with great ease and agility, were ably assisted by the fine playing of the orchestra. As usual the sound quality at the theatre was crystal clear and the volume just right. We would recommend both these ballet to both lovers of more traditional ballet as well as those who prefer more new wave performances.

For tickets, visit www.atgtickets.com