Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- Undated (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
Five handwritten pages and four typed pages, two with handwritten annotations, six pages of photocopied typed publication proofs taped together to form three pages
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Kenneth MacMillan was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, and began ballet classes in Retford, England, in 1940. He joined the Sadler's Wells Ballet School in 1944 and later the Sadler's Wells Ballet but gave up dancing for choreography partly due to crippling stage fright. His first choreographic work was Somnambulism, created for the Sadler's Wells Ballet Choreographic Group in 1953 and he created works for both Royal Ballet companies throughout his career. He created significant works for The Stuttgart Ballet and his works are danced by ballet companies world-wide. He has also created work for television and cinema.
Kenneth MacMillan was Director of the Deutsche Oper Ballet in Berlin from 1966 to 1969, Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet from 1970 to 1977 and its Principal Chroreographer from 1977 until his death. He was also Associate Director of American Ballet Theatre from 1984 to 1989, and Artistic Associate of the Houston Ballet from 1989 to 1992.
Kenneth MacMillan was knighted in 1983, and he received honorary degrees from the University of Edinburgh (1976) and the Royal College of Art (1992). His awards include the Evening Standard Ballet Award (1979); Society of West End Theatre Ballet Award, 1980 and 1983; and, posthumously, the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production in 1993 for The Judas Tree; the Society of London Theatre Special Award in 1993; and the Tony Award for Best Choreography in 1994 for Carousel
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
One file containing handwritten notes and typed scenario, and a later publication proof. The material comprises
- Two pages of handwritten breakdown of the action of the ballet by Act and Scene, with timings, by Kenneth MacMillan, in blue biro with additions in pencil and black felt tip pen. On Royal Opera House headed notepaper
- Three pages of handwritten breakdown of the action of the ballet by Act and Scene, with timings, in an unidentified hand. On lined paper
- Two typed pages giving the scenario for the ballet, with handwritten annotations by Kenneth MacMillan in pencil and black felt tip pen, and break down with timings on the reverse of each page. The second page has a piece torn off but there is no missing information
- Photocopy of two typed pages giving the scenario for the ballet, with slight differences from item 2
- Six photocopied pages of proofs for notes to accompany the Covent Garden Video Production recording of Manon, with some queries and annotations (large)
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Large photocopied pages of proofs are stored in Box 51
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Some of these notes would be interesting to digitise
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- MacMillan, Kenneth (Subject)