Toho Towa Co., Ltd.
[Ballet at the cinema] The Royal Ballet’s “Manon”, a masterpiece of love and sensuality, will be released on Friday, April 5th! Check out the stunning pas de deux of Natalia Osipova, a world-famous star ballerina, and Rhys Clark, who is starring in the movie for the first time!
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“Royal Opera House Cinema Season” allows you to experience ballet and opera performances performed at the Royal Opera House, the world’s most prestigious opera house, on a screen with special footage. This season, as “Royal Opera House Cinema Season 2023/24,” we will deliver a super luxurious lineup of 8 works in total – 4 ballets and 4 operas. With the large screen and powerful sound of a movie theater, which is a little different from the charm of attending a live performance, we offer the ultimate experience where you can enjoy the best opera and ballet performances without leaving Japan.
A masterpiece of love and sensuality, the Royal Ballet’s “Manon” features world-famous star ballerina Natalia Osipova and Rhys Clark, who is starring in the movie for the first time.The two performers have a breathtaking performance and a stunning pas de deux. attention! Get closer to the highlights of this work with commentary from dance critic Homi Morina!
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/16700/71/resize/d16700-71-3239e85e24bdd9eddfdd-0.jpg&s3=16700-71-3e361b967eab46f31bf042de91fb995e-3900×2600.jpg] “Manon,” choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, is one of MacMillan’s greatest dramatic ballets, along with “Romeo and Juliet” and “Mayerling,” and this year marks the 50th anniversary of its first performance. In this screening, the Royal Ballet’s top stars will co-star in a luxurious collaboration, and each ensemble member on stage will convey the spirit of the people living in 18th century Paris and New Orleans with their delicate performances. This is a truly British dramatic ballet performance that is worth seeing. Will Manon choose a luxurious life, or will she live with the people she loves even if she is poor?This work looks glamorous at first glance, but regarding Macmillan’s scenario, Mr. Mori says, “This view of the world where poverty is rampant is similar to the modern unequal society. “It gives a sense of poverty and the continuation of the land,” he explains, revealing the contrast between wealth and corruption and depicting a story that approaches the depths of human psychology. The gala performance will include the romantic “Bedroom Pas de Deux,” in which the performers are intoxicated with the exhilaration of love, and the spectacular “Swamp Pas de Deux,” which shows the extreme love faced in the face of death in the swamps of Louisiana. It is a work that is often danced to and has many famous scenes that you will never forget once you have seen it.
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/16700/71/resize/d16700-71-a310fa313d6618e5dd29-13.jpg&s3=16700-71-1d2af8c0322e67c86acb4e0c6a24af90-2160×2700.jpg] This time, Manon will be played by world-renowned star ballerina Natalia Osipova. She has been known for her high physical ability and technique since her days with the Bolshoi Ballet, and after moving to the Royal Ballet, she honed her acting skills and is enthusiastically supported in London. Mr. Mori passionately talked about Natalia’s appeal, saying, “I want you to witness a new image of Manon, who is not just a heroine who is swept away, but has the strength to survive in a harsh fate.” Please pay attention to the unique and outstanding individuality and expressiveness that he uses to tell the story. The role of Des Grieux, who loves Manon with all his heart, is played by Rhys Clark, who is making his first leading role in a full-length movie. She was just promoted to principal in 2022, is the tallest member of the Royal Ballet, and has the beautiful looks of a movie star. She collaborated with Osipova in the Royal Ballet’s performance of “Romeo and Juliet” in Japan last summer, and they have built a wonderful partnership. Mr. Mori also revealed the biggest highlight of the film, saying, “The splendor of the pas de deux, which is important in this film, and the well-matched acting are sure to draw the viewer into deep emotion.”
In the Dancing Gentleman dance at Madame’s House, three potential principal candidates, including Akuri Ruka, Calvin Richardson, and Joseph Suchens, took spectacular steps, and I was excited to see who would be promoted next. One way to enjoy this work is to watch it while watching it. Don’t miss the brilliant jumping and spinning techniques of Taisuke Nakao, who plays the role of the beggar chief, and the performances of Japanese dancers such as Yuki Choi and Sae Maeda, who play the glamorous high-class prostitutes.
The world’s highest level of theatrical ballet, the Royal Ballet’s masterpiece “Manon”, is a masterpiece that shows its seriousness, so be sure to experience it on the big screen and experience a stage so deep that you will be stuck in the swamp and never be able to return home. .
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/16700/71/resize/d16700-71-2dd829fd595de0d40af7-12.jpg&s3=16700-71-771501044c3ffe97bef30e4f14b02b96-3900×2600.jpg] Click here for the full commentary on “Manon” by Morina Homi (dance critic) https://tohotowa.co.jp/roh/news/2024/04/02/kaisetsu_manon2023/ -Royal Ballet “Manon” work information-
[STORY]
18th century Paris. Manon, a beautiful and impulsive girl, meets and falls in love with Des Grieux, a young, handsome but poor student. However, under the guidance of her brother Lescaut, Manon is invited by the wealthy Monsieur G.M. to become his mistress, and is torn between her love for Des Grieux and her lavish life with G.M. Manon dresses up gorgeously at a party at the mansion of a madam in the underworld and captivates men with her beauty. When Des Grieux wants to leave, she tricks him into gambling in order to get more money. However, the fraud is discovered by G.M., Lescaut is killed, and Manon is arrested.
Manon is exiled to New Orleans, USA. Des Grieux disguises himself as her husband and accompanies her, but Manon is noticed by an amorous prison guard. After killing the guard who used Manon as a plaything, the two escape into the swamps of Louisiana, where Manon dies in Des Grieux’s arms.
《Manon》
Choreography: Kenneth McMillan
Music: Jules Massenet
Arrangement: Martin Yates
(Song selection: Leighton Lucas, cooperation Hilda Gaunt)
Art: Nicholas Georgiadis
Lighting design: Jacopo Pantani
Staging: Laura Morera
Rehearsal director: Christopher Saunders
Repétitur: Deirdre Chapman, Helen Crawford
Principal guidance: Aleksandr Agzyanov, Leanne Benjamin, Alessandra Ferri, Edward Watson, Zenaida Janowski
Royal Opera House Orchestra
Concertmaster: Sergei Levitin
Conductor: Kun Kessels
【cast】
Manon: Natalia Osipova
Des Grieux: Rhys Clark
Lescaut: Alexander Campbell
Monsieur G. M. :Gary Avis
Lescaut’s mistress: Mayara Magri
Madam: Elizabeth McGorian
Guard: Lucas Bjornborg Brenzrod
Beggar Chief: Taisuke Nakao
High class prostitutes: Yuki Choi, Melissa Hamilton, Sae Maeda, Amelia Townsend Three Gentlemen: Akuri Ruka, Calvin Richardson, Joseph Thissens Brothel Customers: Harry Churches, David Donnelly, Giacomo Rovero, Christopher Saunders, Thomas Whitehead
Old Gentleman: Philip Moseley
Prostitutes, innkeepers, washerwomen, actresses, beggars, townspeople, mousetraps, servants, bodyguards, servants.
: Royal Ballet artist
(C)2024 ROH. Photographed by Andrej Uspenski
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/16700/71/resize/d16700-71-0789cf0e2f5a7c7ed6ef-14.jpg&s3=16700-71-ab3cabe0e9e4511daf16fe1e901fd21d-3900×2600.jpg] 4/5 (Friday) to 4/11 (Thursday) TOHO Cinemas Nihonbashi and other locations for one week only!
■Official website: http://tohotowa.co.jp/roh/
■Distribution: Toho Towa
More details about this release:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000071.000016700.html