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- 1980-1981, n.d. (Creation)
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One handwritten and two carbon copies of typed letters, one envelope, one press cutting
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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
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Anya Sainsbury was Gala Chairman for the Gala Performance in aid of Friends of One-Parent Families in 1980. The correspondence comprises:
- Carbon copy of a letter from William Forsythe to Anya Sainsbury explaining his rationale for the piece he created on Lynn Seymour for the Gala, his feelings for her, for galas and ballet, 9 Dec 1980
- Carbon copy of Anya Sainsbury's reply to the above expressing her sorrow that the piece he created for Lynn Seymour was not "appropriate" for the gala, and fearing it influenced Lynn Seymour's decision to cancel her forthcoming season with The Royal Ballet. The letter expresses her admiration for William Forsythe, 20 Jan 1981
- Handwritten letter from Anya Sainsbury to Kenneth MacMillan on Friends of One-Parent Families Gala Performance headed notepaper accompanying the two copy letters. Mentions Isadora, n.d. but with accompanying hand addressed envelope date stamped 9 Feb 1981. There is an additional handwritten note on the reverse apologising for not having posted the letter (there is also note in blue biro on reverse of envelope by Jann Parry)
- Unattributed press cutting giving a review of the Gala and a list of attendees
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- MacMillan, Kenneth (Subject)
- Sainsbury, Anya (Subject)
- Forsythe, William (Subject)
- Seymour, Lynn (Subject)
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Archivist's note
These letters would be interesting to digitise