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- 1977-1989 (Creation)
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One handwritten and four typed letters, two typed carbon copies, two draft and one signed contract, one compliments slip, one pencil drawing and one printed technical drawing with handwritten pencil note
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
Name of creator
Administrative history
English National Ballet gave its first performances in 1950 as Gala Performances of Ballet. In 1951 it became London's Festival Ballet, changing its name to London Festival Ballet in 1951. In July 1989 the Company became English National Ballet
Name of creator
Biographical history
Beryl Grey was born in London and began dance classes at the age of four.
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The material in this file comprises:
- Letter from Beryl Grey, Artistic Director of London Festival Ballet, asking if Kenneth MacMillan could create a ballet for the Company, or allow them to present Requiem, 9 Aug 1977
- Typed carbon copy of Kenneth MacMillan's reply explaining why neither is possible, 19 Sep 1977
- Handwritten letter from Beryl Grey asking if Kenneth MacMillan could create a ballet for the Company, 13 Apr 1978, with a carbon copy of a reply from Iris Law explaining that he is very heavily committed for the foreseeable future, 15 Jun 1978
- Typed covering letter from Richard Jarman, General Administrator of London Festival Ballet, enclosing two copies of a draft contract for Anastasia Act III. One has pencil annotations by Deborah MacMillan
- Typed letter from Stephens Innocent, Solicitors, to Richard Jarman, re lack of credit to Barry Kay for the design of Anastasia, 20 Jun 1989
- Typed letter from Peter Schaufuss, Artistic Director of English National Ballet, thanking Kenneth MacMillan for allowing the Company to perform Anastasia, 20 Jun 1989
- Signed contract between English National Ballet and Kenneth MacMillan and Partner for Anastasia Act III, with no mention of Barry Kay as designer, undated but first performance will be given on 19 Jun 1989. With page of pencil drawings of the motorised bed, by Deborah MacMillan, and with compliments slip (with Contract for Anastasia (Act III) written in biro [by Jann Parry])
- Stage elevation drawing for Anastasia Screen, 9 May 1989, S. Scott, with handwritten explanatory note in pencil signed by Steven Scott. Scale 1:25
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- MacMillan, Kenneth (Subject)
- MacMillan, Deborah (Subject)
- Grey, Beryl (Subject)
- Schaufuss, Peter (Subject)
- English National Ballet (Subject)