Costume designs by Alix Stone for Dancers in the Act III ballet of "Manon", English National Opera, London Coliseum, April 12th 1979.

Costume design for the Dancers in the Act III ballet scene of "Manon". The design depicts four full length female figures in 18th century style costume. Three of the figures wear wide ankle length skirts with bodices in pink and yellow; white stockings; and high heeled shoes which imitate the style of clothes worn by an 18th century shepherdess. The figure on the extreme left holds a silver shepherd's crook and a toy lamb, and wears a straw hat with ribbons on her head. The remaining figure wears a male "travestie" shepherd costume consisting of a brown jacket; a white and yellow patterned waistcoat; a yellow and green patterned knee breeches; yellow stockings; brown shoes; and a small brown tricorne hat. 9 Fabric swatches are stapled to the lower edge of the design.

This costume design by Alix Stone is part of an extensive collection of designs purchased by the Theatre Museum directly from the artist in 1994. The design was executed for a 1979 revival of a production of Massenet's opera "Manon" first performed by the English National Opera at the London Coliseum, January 24th 1974. The opera was translated by Edmund Tracey, and the production was directed by John Copley. The scenery was designed by Henry Bardon; the lighting was designed by Robert Bryan; and the choreographer was Pauline Grant. The production was subsequently revived at the Coliseum in September 1974, and extensively toured various English provincial theatres during the springs of 1974 and 1975.

The production was later revised with some new costume designs by Alix Stone at the London Coliseum on April 12th 1979. This revised version was subsequently revived at the Coliseum in February 1980, February 1982, and October 1984.

Reason For Production: Commission

S.182-2001