Richard Austin was commissioned to write a biography of Lynn Seymour and this file contains correspondence from Richard Austin to Kenneth MacMillan, pages of his typescript and one handwritten reply from Kenneth MacMillan, 7 Jul 1979 - 1 Apr 1980
MacMillan, KennethThe correspondence in this file is written while Eike Walcz is in a relationship with Lynn Seymour. It comprises
- A handwritten note sending regards, undated
- Postcard from Eike at the time of Kenneth MacMillan's heart attack in Munich, Germany, 1969, n.d.
- A typed letter responding to a previous conversation, very critical of the life of a dancer and of Kenneth MacMillan, 29 Feb 1976
- One page handwritten letter reporting that Lynn (Seymour) had a nervous breakdown and has been in hospital for five weeks. Asking if Kenneth could offer her any work that would give her something positive to focus on when she leaves the hospital, 18 Aug 1980
Correspondence between Kenneth MacMillan and Dr Hardenberg comprising:
- Receipt from Dr Hardenberg for March Account 19 sessions, dated April 1964
- Letter from Dr Hardenberg thanking Kenneth MacMillan for cheque and pleased to know he will write, 9 Aug 1966
- Letter from Dr Hardenberg, pleased to know that he is happy with the way things are going. Mentions Lynn Seymour and her diet, 4 Oct 1966
- Typed letter from Kenneth MacMillan describing his anxieties, the opening night of the season in Berlin, Lynn Seymour's sceptic toe and her decision to take work in New York. He is hard at work on the new Sleeping Beauty, 30 Aug 1967
Frederick Ashton, dancer and choreographer, was Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet from 1963-1970. The correspondence in this file consists of letters and telegrams of thanks, congratulations and good luck. Most are undated but can be dated from the context.
- Typed letter with handwritten additions, on Royal Opera House, London, headed notepaper, thanks Kenneth for his good wishes for the first night [of A Month in the Country], Feb 1976
- Handwritten letter with thanks for telegram of congratulations and speaks of the impressive ceremony at Oxford, undated
- Handwritten letter with thanks for the 'fromage' - he eats a lot of cheese now 'being a semi toothless septuagenarian'. Mentions difficulties with Lynn [Seymour] and going away for his 'month in the country', undated with envelope postmarked 19 Feb 1976
- Handwritten letter wishing 'Dearest Kenneth 'good luck and thanks for the 'flattering dedication' [Mayerling]. He sends an antique Austrian waistcoat. 'The buttons have different Emperors on them', with envelope, undated but Mayerling was first performed in 1978
- Handwritten note, good luck wishes, undated
- Thanking Kenneth and Deborah for their kind wishes, from 'old 'octo' Fred'
- Handwritten letter, with thanks for the plant and for party and 'for coming to cheer me on the last lap', with envelope, undated
- Two good luck telegrams, one sent to the Coliseum Theatre, London with 'could be 2 June 1978' written by Jann Parry in biro on back of mount
- One envelope handwritten by Frederick Ashton, addressed to Sir Kenneth MacMillan K.B.E 29 Jul 1985
- One Houston Ballet envelope addressed to Sir Frederick Ashton, postmarked 12 Dec 1977
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
Kenneth MacMillan was asked by Studio Vista publishers to write a foreword to Lynn Seymour: A Photographic Study. This file contains Kenneth MacMillan's foreward typed by Clement Crisp, with amendments by Crisp, together with a covering typed letter to Kenneth MacMillan from Clement Crisp, signed Claryce Klimt, 27 Mar [1980], and a typed letter from Studio Vista enclosing a copy of the Foreword on three pieces of photocopy, 30 May 1980
MacMillan, KennethLynn Seymour was a dancer with The Royal Ballet and a muse for many of Kenneth MacMillan's earlier ballets. She went with him when he became Director of the Deutsche Opera Ballet in Berlin where she had a relationship with fellow dancer Eike Walcz
MacMillan, KennethThe material in this file comprises
- Letter from Lynn Seymour to Kenneth MacMillan apologising for leaving for New York where she has the opportunity to work with Stanley Williams. She looks forward to coming back in full form to work on his 'divine 'ballet'. Undated but presumably written while with MacMillan and the Deutsche Opera Ballet in Berlin
- Typed letter on Intendanz der Bayerischen Staatsoper headed note paper from Lynn, as Director of the Ballet Company in Munich, to Kenneth, about the possibility of mounting his Anastasia in 1979, 1 Dec 1978
- One page handwritten letter sending write ups (not included) and reporting their triumph but unclear where and with what company, undated
- Colour postcard of the interior of the Cuvillies Theatre, Munich from Lynn to Kenneth hoping that he will create something for the ballet company, undated
- Compliments slip from Dominic Photography with handwritten note from Zoe Dominic to Lynn, explaining that this was the picture that was in the Sunday Times that won the hear of the Art Editor, photo not included, undated
Two typed letters from Karin Altmann, Nielsen-Ferns Inc., about a film she is making on Lynn Seymour and asking for Kenneth MacMillan's participation. There is a copy of the treatment for the film plus the budget, May - June 1978