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Kenneth MacMillan created the one-act ballet Triad for The Royal Ballet which received its premiere on 19.1.1972 at the Royal Opera House, London. The material comprises

1. One handwritten letter from HRH the Princess Margaret to Kenneth MacMillan explaining that she is unable to attend the first night as they are observing mourning for the death of the King of Denmark. On Kensington Palace headed notepaper, with accompanying envelope, both with black borders. In black ink, also signed by Tony (Armstrong Jones), 17.1.1972
2. Two first night telegrams, one from 'Madam' (Ninette de Valois), one from John and Patsy (Tooley), 19.1.1972. The one from Madam has a sticker with 're Triad ABT' on the reverse, written in black biro by Jann Parry. ABT has been crossed through in pencil
3. One handwritten letter from 'Madam' following later performances of Triad, and asking him to 'please embark on at least a 2 act one as soon as possible'. In black biro, dated June (?) 20th. Triad 1972 (Jan or Feb) June written in blue biro on reverse of letter by Jann Parry

This file contains correspondence from members of The Royal Ballet and Royal Opera House management and technical teams relating to the staging of his works by The Royal Ballet. It includes letters from David Webster, John Tooley, Ninette de Valois, Frederick Ashton, John Field, John Copley and Adrian Grater. There are two contracts from the Royal Opera House for Kenneth MacMillan to create a work and to mount Concerto for The Royal Ballet, Ninette de Valois talks about working in Turkey and on seeing the film of Romeo and Juliet, Frederick Ashton sends congratulations on Concerto, thanks for performing Scenes de Ballet in Berlin, casting for Song of the Earth. There is a strongly worded letter from Kenneth MacMillan to Ninette de Valois complaining about 'the disastrous performances of my ballets in Edinburgh', tendering his resignation and enclosing press cuttings, 24 Aug 1960

The correspondence in this file is from Ninette de Valois to Kenneth MacMillan, January to October 1957. It covers the period when MacMillan was working with American Ballet Theatre as well as appearing with The Royal Ballet in Cinderella and creating new works for both companies. De Valois writes about the difficulties of making this work, sends encouragement following adverse press criticism, taking Solitaire on the US tour and casting, the difficulties of obtaining the music rights for Le Baiser de la fee, discussion with [Humphrey] Searle about possible composers, 4 Jan 1957-20 Oct 1957, n.d.

Kenneth MacMillan created the one-act ballet The Poltroon for the Royal Ballet New Group which premiered on 12.11.1972 at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London. The material comprises one handwritten letter from 'Madam' to Kenneth MacMillan with a critique of the choreography, undated. With envelope postmarked 12.11.1972. ((Poltroon) 1972 written by Jann Parry of the front of the envelope in blue biro)

The material relates to two typescript scenarios for ballets submitted for consideration to the Sadler's Wells Ballet

1. La Fenetre by Leo Quayle, two page typescript with pencil drawing of set layout, correspondence between Leo Quayle, Robert Irving and Ninette de Valois, 9 Jun 1952 - 31 Dec 1954
2. The Dancing Bear by Peter Skelton, four page typescript, correspondence between Peter Skelton and Ninette de Valois 1 Feb 1954 - 1 Jan 1955, handwritten note from [John Piper], n.d.

1. One sepia pen and ink drawing with Sadlers Wells in a banner. On reverse a pen and ink drawing of a woman, possibly a costume design
2. Envelope address to Kenneth MacMillan, Sadler's Wells Ballet at the Royal Opera House, 1950
3. Printed menu for the Edinburgh International Festival 1948. The front cover drawing includes two dancers, the back cover photographs include one of Margot Fonteyn and Robert Helpmann in Swan Lake
4. Printed menu for Breakfast in the Dining Car on the Union Pacific Railroad, with 'Sadler's Wells Ballet, Covent Garden Opera and Sol Hurok Orchestra En route November 16, 1950' on reverse
5. Two photocopies of a letter from Ninette de Valois to Miss Roche reporting on her impression of Kenneth MacMillan following his recent audition, 8 Jan 1945
6. Two letters each from Ailne Phillips and Donald Albery to William MacMillan (Kenneth MacMillan's father) re scholarship and accommodation, Nov [1944] - Apr 1945

Administrative correspondence includes minutes and notes of meetings of the Development Working Group, 1984, re Manon in Australia, Anastasia, 1985, video recordings at the Royal Opera House, 1986-87, the revivals of Rite of Spring and Romeo and Juliet in 1987/88 and 1989, dedicating performances of Gloria and Requiem to the memory of Julian Hosking and Greg Bellamy, 1989, the proposed move of Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet to Birmingham, 1989, request from Hong Kong Ballet to purchase Rituals, 1989, and plans for celebrations for Kenneth MacMillan's 60th birthday in 1989. A letter from Bernard Haitink expresses his joy at conducting performances of Romeo and Juliet, 1989.
Press cuttings cover the dispute between Kenneth MacMillan and Michael Somes, 1984, Norman Morrice's response to criticisms over standards at The Royal Ballet, 1985, and a short interview with Jennifer Penney, 1985.
Press releases cover the appointment of Kenneth MacMillan as Artistic Associate of American Ballet Theatre, 1984, and of Isaiah Jackson as Music Director of The Royal Ballet, 1987, and there are interdepartmental communications listing press nights.
There is correspondence:

1. between Kenneth MacMillan, Ninette de Valois and Ann Nugent following Nugent's article in The Stage reporting Madam's criticism of contemporary choreographers, plus a copy of the article, 1985
2. between John Sainsbury and Kenneth MacMillan re MacMillan's concern at the Board's lack of confidence in him, plus a letter from Jeremy Isaacs to Maggi Hambling in response to MacMillan's concern expressed in an article in the Evening Standard, 1989
3. from Ninette de Valois recommending Rumer Godden [possibly to assist with the scenario for The Prince of the Pagodas], n.d.
4. Kenneth MacMillan's handwritten notes and final version of a tribute to Barry Kay, plus copies of the order of service and a handwritten card from Michael [Werner], and a telegram from John Tooley expressing sympathy, 1985
   There is a menu for a dinner in honour of Claus Moser, 1987, and two copies of the Order for the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Sir Frederick Ashton, 1988

Correspondence from administrative and artistic staff at the Royal Opera House including Anthony Russell Roberts, John Tooley, Paul Findlay, Peter Wright and Norman Morrice, the press and publications departments. It includes a handwritten draft and typed letter from Kenneth MacMillan to the Editor of The Guardian Newspaper and a typed letter from Peter Wright to Linda Christmas, in response to her article criticising MacMillan's period as Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet, concerns raised by Kenneth MacMillan and Norman Morrice about technical standards at the Royal Opera House, events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Royal Ballet and Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet in 1981, a performance of Romeo and Juliet to celebrate the marriage of TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales, 1981, Ninette de Valois's 80th birthday, the proposed premiere of The Prince of the Pagodas in 1983, to Cameron Mackintosh Productions re the possible release of Stephen Jefferies, the Financial Scrutiny of the Royal Opera House by Clive Priestley, the redevelopment of the Royal Opera House, possible performances by Natalia Makarova in the 1984/85 season.
There are handwritten letters from Ninette de Valois and her brother Gordon Anthony re Madam's 80th birthday, from Colin Davis and Norman Morrice, and postcards from Peter Wright from Yugoslavia, 1981, from Leslie Edwards, Monica Parker and Michael Somes from Japan and China, 1983.
Interdepartmental communications give details of press nights, interviews and photographers

Kenneth MacMillan created the one-act ballet Noctambules for Sadler's Wells Ballet which premiered on 1 Mar 1956 at the Royal Opera House, London. The material in this file comprises

1. One hand drawn cartoon with the inscription 'a certain mysterious veiled lady wishes you good luck for your work on Noctambules...9 Jan 1956', by Jeffrey Solomons. Unsigned but identified by Deborah MacMillan
2. Six telegrams wishing Kenneth MacMillan good luck on the first night of Noctambules, from Michael Somes, All at (Sadler's Wells) Theatre Ballet, Margot Fonteyn, 'Madam' (Ninette de Valois), Vivien and Laurence Olivier, and Robert Irving, 1 Mar 1956
3. Handwritten letter from Leslie Edwards on Royal Opera House headed notepaper to Kenneth MacMillan thanking him for entrusting him with such a wonderful role, undated
4. Three handwritten pages on two sheets of paper of analysis and suggestions for alterations to the choreography, by Ninette de Valois, undated

Ninette de Valois was the Founder Director of The Royal Ballet and commissioned the first ballet from Kenneth MacMillan. The material in this file comprises

1. Five Christmas cards, four to Kenneth and Deborah and one to Charlotte MacMillan, undated
2. Handwritten letter on Royal Opera House headed notepaper, wishing Kenneth MacMillan every success, 'Not many approved of 'The Rake' 1st time!', Mar 2nd, no year
3. Handwritten letter thanking them both for the telegram. Mentions crutches. 'I hear that Manon was terrific', 21 Jan 1982
4. Handwritten letter expressing regret that Kenneth MacMillan was unable to attend the gala, and that he's missing the School show - 'a talent spotting occassion (sic) for choreographers', undated but envelope postmarked 13 Jun 1988
5. Handwritten letter expressing delight in his American award, the Performing Arts EMMY Award for A Lot of Happiness, 1982, undated but envelope postmarked 29 Nov 1982
6. Typed letter reporting has been in bed for nearly a fortnight with shingles, and asking him to telephone when he is back from America, 26 Jun 1985
7. Handwritten letter thanking him for his lovely new divertissement, Soiree Musicale, performed by pupils of the Royal Ballet School at the Royal Opera House, London for Ninette de Valois' 90th birthday, undated but envelope postmarked 28 Jul 1988
8. Typed letter to Deborah MacMillan thanking her for the party. 'Dear Kenneth would dig himself in on a lonely hill like that!', 10 Aug 1994