Théâtre Sans Frontières has commissioned North East writer, Steve Larkin, to adapt the original 18th Century novel Manon Lescaut for this new French stage production. The company has developed a unique rendering of this classic story with 1950's styling and shades of film noir, casting Manon as a femme fatale to rival Lana Turner.

Set in Paris, Manon Lescaut tells the darkly comic tale of the 'innocent hero', des Grieux and his fascination for the dangerously seductive young woman, Manon. Follow the downward spiral of the student des Grieux as his captivating love for Manon takes him into cardsharping, theft, murder, imprisonment and ultimately exile in Louisiana.

Tragedy, farce, commedia dell' arte - all of these combine in this exuberant tale of passion and romance, obsession and treachery.

Directed by John Cobb and performed by an international cast, from France, Portugal, Australia and Britain, Manon Lescaut is suitable for audiences aged 16 and upwards.