Restoring my soul.

Last Tuesday night I was privileged to attend the Australian Ballet Company’s rendition of the famous Ballet “Manon”.  From beginning to end I was swept on by waves of emotion. Eroticism and folly accompanied the star struck lovers Manon (danced by the unequivocal Lucinda Dunn OAM)  and  des Gruix (danced by the overly talented Adam Bull).

Artistic Director David McAllister (AM) has reprised a MacMillan classic with astounding opulence and grace.  Music Director and Chief Conductor, Nicolette Fraillon bought the story to life with the superb manipulation of the stunning music that builds the story to crescendo.

The opening act sees Manon about to join a convent when her brother Lescaut strikes a deal with an elderly gentleman that is enamoured with Manon for her hand in marriage.  However fate intervenes in this contract negotiation as Manon meets and falls instantly in love with des Grieux they run off together taking money that Manon had appropriated from the elderly gentleman.

The passion that is ignited on stage by Dunn and Ball makes the pairing so believable and swept the audience up into the flames that were being ignited between the two on stage.

As des Grieux leaves the love palace to post a letter to his father, Lescaut (Andrew Killian) and Monsieur GM (Steven Heathcote) arrive to take possession of Manon. She is dragged away into a life of wealth and debauchery, all the while protesting her love for des Grieux.  Lescaut is very happy with the money that he has made from the transaction with Monsieur GM.

However the young lovers are reunited in the second act at a party held by Madame. Des Grieux is caught cheating at cards with Monsieur GM and the two lovers run away together.  Their interlude is short lived when they are tracked down by soldiers and Manon is arrested as a prostitute and sent to the Americas on a convict ship.  Lescaut is killed in the rumble that occurs.

Des Grieux travels with Manon as her “husband” and has to fight off the gaoler who has taken a liking to Manon, they run off into the Louisiana swamp and Manon succumbs to exhaustion and illness and dies in the arms of Des Grieux.

Manon is danced by the quintessential Lucinda Dunn OAM, in her final performance in Melbourne with the Australian Ballet Company before she retires in May, Ms Dunn performed aplomb. Ms Dunn will be greatly missed by her admirers in the Ballet world as well as her audience.  Australian Ballet Company Artistic Director David McAllister said that Lucinda’s legacy will live on into the future.  He goes on to describe Lucinda as “a shining beacon of the Australian Ballet – a true Ballerina.”

I will end this blog post with a quote from the illustrious Ms Dunn

“My journey through this special career has been marked by many memorable and unforgettable experiences, performances, partners, tours and coaches – but it is a fitting time to retire.  I am privileged to have had such a satisfying and inspiring career.”

Well done Lucinda Dunn, thank you for your years of entertainment.

Choreography – Sir Kenneth MacMillan

Guest repetiteurs – Patricia Ruanne and Mark Kay

Music – Jules Massenet arranged and orchestrated by Martin Yates

Costume and set design Peter Farmer

Original lighting design – William Akers

Reproduced by Francis Croese