The Royal Ballet’s signature ballet Manon returns next week for a 15 show run.

That’s a lot for a narrative ballet that doesn’t possess a Tchaikovsky score! But it is the casting that astounds – just everyone wants to take a shot at the doomed couple. The Manons with their respective Des Grieuxs are:

Laura Morera & Federico Bonelli

Tamara Rojo & Carlos Acosta

Alina Cojocaru & Johan Kobborg

Mara Galeazzi & David Makhateli

Roberta Marquez & Steven McRae

Leanne Benjamin & Steven McRae (who seems to have replaced Edward Watson)

Sarah Lamb & Rupert Pennefather

Marianela Nuñez & Nehemiah Kish

Sarah Lamb, Rupert Pennefather, Marianela Nuñez, Nehemiah Kish and Steven McRae are all newcomers to MacMillan’s ballet.

On the right are four Manons and partners:

from top Alina Cojocaru & Johan Kobborg, Roberta Marquez with Ivan Putrov (in these performances Marquez will dance with Steven McRae, his début in the role), Mara Galeazzi & David Makhateli, and Tamara Rojo & Carlos Acosta.

Performances run from April 21 to June 4 at the Royal Opera House