Showing 3 results

This file contains letters and telegrams of good luck plus letters of congratulations. There are two invitations to the receptions at the Royal Opera House following the first performance and a letter from Denis Healey, on Treasury Chambers headed notepaper, thanking Kenneth MacMillan for the offer of tickets for the premiere

One typed letter inviting Kenneth MacMillan to the opening night of Northern Ballet Theatre's production of Don Quixote at Sadler's Wells Theatre, with the booking leaflet and an invitation, 24 Jan 1989. One typed letter from Christopher Gable, Artistic Director, commenting on the South Bank television film about him that Kenneth MacMillan participated in, and asking if Kenneth MacMillan would be well enough to create a work for the Company, 17 Mar 1989

Kenneth MacMillan created the three-act ballet Romeo and Juliet for The Royal Ballet which premiered on 9.2.1965 at the Royal Opera House, London, UK. The ballet was created on the young dancers Lynn Seymour and Christopher Gable but the first night was danced by Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev. The ballet has subsequently been performed by ballet companies all over the world. The material for the 1965 production by The Royal Ballet comprises:

1. Five typed pages, four of Cast Biographies (compiled from Shakespeare's play by Mary Miller) and one of the action of the entire story that takes place over four days. Undated
2. Three typed pages of Cast Biographies (Taken from the play by Mary Miller) with slight differences to the above. With Deborah handwritten in pencil top right of first page. Undated
3. 33 telegrams wishing good luck for the first night and congratulations on the success of the ballet. 8.2.1965 (1), 9.2.1965 (30), 10.2.1965 (1), 18.2.1965 (1)
4. One handwritten letter from Mary (Miller) to Kenneth MacMillan wishing him great success
5. One typed letter from Lord Drogheda, Chair of the Board of Directors at the Royal Opera House, to Kenneth MacMillan, complaining about two pieces in the Sunday Telegraph, praising Romeo and Juliet and suggesting possible composers for his next work including Benjamin Britten and Hans Werner Henze, 14.2.1965
6. One photocopy of a telegram from David Webster, General Administrator at the Royal Opera House, to Kenneth MacMillan reporting the unprecedented number of curtain calls for the second cast of Romeo and Juliet in New York, Christopher Gable and Lynn Seymour, 23.4.1965
7. Two typed letters from Tony and Julie (Andrews) in New York expressing their admiration, 23.4.1965
8. Handwritten notes by Kenneth MacMillan, with comments on an unknown Juliet's performance. On Northern Ballet Theatre stamped envelope, postmarked 20.1.1989
9. 10 black and white photocopies of costume designs with the character and dancers' names written on, and some handwritten notes from Kenneth MacMillan (large). The character of Romeo is to be danced by [Derek] Deane who danced the role in the 1970s
   Material for the 2010 production by the ballet company of the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Italy, comprises:
10. 44 colour copies of costume designs by Odette Nicoletti
11. Eight colour copies of set designs by Mauro Carosi
12. A ring bound volume of plastic front cover, title page and 13 pages, showing the scenery and scene changes