Manon Lescaut in a red cabriolet

An exact copy of the legendary Morgan Plus 8 two-seater cabriolet will appear on stage during the Mikhailovsky Theatre’s production of Manon Lescaut. A replica of the red British car has been assembled in the studios of the Deutsche Staatsoper (Berlin) especially for Jürgen Flimm’s production. All the scenery, designed by George Tsypin, was made by German specialists in close collaboration with the Mikhailovsky Theatre.

“The stage model prepared in the Staatsoper’s studios looks like a real working car”, remarked producer Dmitry Astafyev after carefully studying the scenery and props. “I would not be surprised if the cabriolet started moving.”

Morgan cars, which have gained wide popularity on both sides of the Atlantic, represent some of the best the British car industry has to offer. This success is due largely to the Plus 8’s stylish design and powerful sports engine, which led it to being dubbed “a missile in a tailcoat”. Although an internally modified version of the car is still in production, the make is hardly ever seen in Russia.

Director Jürgen Flimm has said that the heroine of the opera, Manon Lescaut, will be re-imagined as a film star from Hollywood’s golden age. The car is a metaphor for her career, a symbol of fame and success; just like the heroine, life-changing transformations lie ahead of it.