MACMILLAN BALLET CLASSICS

ROMEO AND JULIET Prokofiev

Since its first performance by The Royal Ballet in 1965, Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s masterpiece Romeo and Juliet has been one of the greatest successes in the repertory, winning world-wide acclaim. His powerful and sensual choreography thrillingly captures the passion and agony of Shakespeare’s tragedy, alongside Prokofiev’s glorious score. Nicholas Georgiadis’ designs colourfully evoke Renaissance Italy, and provide a magnificent setting for the unfolding drama, from the splendour of the Capulet ball, to the cold bleakness of the vault in the last tragic moments.

This classic performance, filmed at Covent Garden in 1984, stars Wayne Eagling and Alessandra Ferri as the lovers, both of whom convey the intensity of young love.

Total Duration: Approx. 128 mins

PRINCE OF THE PAGODAS Britten

Sir Kenneth MacMillan's glorious ballet, The Prince of the Pagodas, provides a fascinating and magnificent spectacle of classical dance on the grandest scale. Nicholas Georgiadis' enchanting oriental designs complement Britten's only ballet score, inspired by the sounds of the gamelan, establishing a fairy tale ambience.

This production by The Royal Ballet, filmed at Covent Garden in 1990, stars Darcey Bussell in dazzling form as Princess Rose and Jonathan Cope as the Prince. This is the role that launched Darcey Bussell’s career.

Accompanying The Prince of the Pagodas is OUT OF LINE, a documentary portrait of Kenneth MacMillan, with extracts from many of his ballets including THE BURROW, ROMEO AND JULIET, GLORIA, MANON and THE PRINCE OF THE PAGODAS.

Total Duration: Approx. 194 mins

MANON Music of Massenet, orch. Lucas

Kenneth MacMillan’s tragic lyric ballet is a moving tale of corrupted innocence in early 18th Century Paris, in which the lovely Manon finds both happiness and grief at the hands of men who love and abuse her.

Manon is one of MacMillan’s best-loved ballets, and this acclaimed 1982 performance from The Royal Ballet at Covent Garden, stars Jennifer Penney as Manon and Anthony Dowell as Des Grieux, with David Wall as Lescaut.

Total Duration: Approx. 112 mins

Choreographer Kenneth MacMillan created some of the most popular ballets of the late 20th century, drawing inspiration from impassioned and complex relationships, from music and from young dancers whose talent he nurtured. This boxed set includes Romeo and Juliet and Manon, two of the most frequently performed works in The Royal Ballet’s repertory, and Prince of the Pagodas, in which the role of Princess Rose was created for the young Darcey Bussell.

NVC Arts 3DVDs 5186503482