Kenneth MacMillan's Manon

Manon meets Des Grieux (a young student) and they fall in love and decide to escape to Paris. Monsieur G.M. tells Lescaut that he too is interested in Manon and because of G.M.'s wealth Lescaut promises to find Manon and persuade her to accept him.

With little hope, de Grieux writes to his father, imploring permission to marry Manon. Des Grieux goes to post the letter and in his absence Lescaut arrives with Monsieur G.M. Manon yields to G.M.'s advances.

Manon arrives at the party given by Monsieur G.M. and is clearly torn between the wealth of her companion and her love for Des Grieux, who is there with Lescaut. Des Grieux tries to persuade Manon to leave with him but she tells him that the time is not right and will be only when he takes more of Monsieur G.M.'s money at cards. Des Grieux is caught cheating and he and Manon rush away.

Monsieur G.M. ariives with the police and Manon is arrested as a prostitute. In the ensuing struggle Lescaut is killed.

Manon has been deported to America as a prostitute and Des Grieux has followed her there by pretending to be her husband. The Gaoler now turns his interest towards Manon.

The Gaoler has arrested Manon but offers her rewards in the hope that she will desert Des Grieux and live with him. Des Grieux breaks in and kills the Gaoler.Manon and Des Grieux have escaped into the swamp of Louisiana. While eluding their pursuers Manon collapses and dies in Des Grieux's arms.