Manon, choreographed by Sir Kenneth MacMilan, was his second three-act ballet as artistic director of the Royal Ballet. He based his scenario on the 1731 novel by the Abbé Prévost, L’Histoire du Chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut. MacMilan had chosen Antoinette Sibley as Manon and Anthony Dowell as Des Grieux, giving them both a copy of Prévost’s novel to read in preparation for their roles.
He had completed three of their key pas de deux when Sibley was injured, out of action for several months. MacMillan finished the ballet with Jennifer Penney as Manon. Sibley had recovered in time for the first night. Penney danced the role in the 1982 Royal Ballet video, with Dowell as Des Grieux and David Wall as Lescaut.
Manon – 1982
CAST:
Manon: Jennifer Penny
Des Grieux: Anthony Dowell
Lescaut: David Wall
Monsieur GM: Derek Rencher
Lescaut’s Mistress: Monica Mason
Jailer: David Drew
Madame: Gerd Larsen
Beggar Chief: David Peden