<P><BR>The sizzling photo shows Australia Ballet's production of 'Manon'. It's nothing but sex, sex, sex on the ballet page at the moment! If this doesn't boost our readership nothing will.<P><BR>A rather good preview article on the Royal Ballet's 'Manon' which starts a run this week. There are interesting comments from Dowell, Mukhamedev and Deborah MacMillan among others. It's a big success with London audiences, but I hadn't realised that it was so successful elsewhere. I do remember Deborah Macmillan telling someone that she thought the POB production came closest to Macmillan's conception. Although why the French should be better than us English at expressing sexuality and passion is quite beyond me.<P>I have only seen it once, with Durante and Mukhamedev and I thought it was terrific to see beautiful, exciting dance about believable characters as opposed to pirates and fairies. Actually now that I think about it Durante is Italian and Mukhamedev Russian, so I'd better add those two nationalities to the French. I do remember 'Street' by Birmingham Royal Ballet where one reviewer said of this recreation of a sultry South American scene - 'It's as if the nice boys and girls of BRB had been told to try and be sexy.' By and large, they failed. I'd be interested to see Leanne Benjamin as Manon, but she's Australian.<P>I'd be grateful for comments from those who have seen any of the various productions.<P><BR> <A HREF="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/review.html?in_review_id=268045&in_review_text_id=214506" TARGET=_blank>http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/review.html?in_review_id=26804 5&in_review_text_id=214506</A> <P>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited 03-28-2000).]<p>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited 03-28-2000).]

This review of the latest outing for 'Manon' shows why Viviana Durante will be so sorely missed (see RB and Viviana thread). If Ross Stretton can tempt her back, then he will gain a truck-load of brownie points from me. <P> <A HREF="http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/reviews/story/0,3604,153572,00.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/reviews/story/0,3604,153572,00.html</A> <p>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited 03-30-2000).]

<P>The death of Manon in the swamps with Anthony Dowell and A.N.Other (Antoinette Sibley?)<P>A review by Jann Parry in The Observer of 'Manon' with some background to the Summer's ballet events in London and the fact that we will all be sufferring from 'Manon' overload. It looks as though this article has been cut by some pesky sub-editor as there is very little about the dancing itself.<P> <A HREF="http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/observer/review/story/0,3879,154767,00.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/observer/review/story/0,3879,154767,00.html</A>