The majority of material in these files consists of unsolicited ideas for subjects, scenarios or music that the correspondents suggest Kenneth MacMillan might be interested to create ballets on. Some correspondence is from established figures in the field of theatre and music, others people unknown to Kenneth MacMillan. The material is divided into 11 files, the first contains brief correspondence arranged in alphabetical order of surname; where there are files for individuals, this reflects the amount of material rather than offering a value judgement on the person or concept
Elizabeth Gelder sent a script for a ballet featuring Adolf Hitler, with covering letter 9.11.1977
Emma Dangerfield, Director of the Byron Society, sent a scenario based on the life of Byron, via Leslie Edwards. There are two versions of the scenario, a note-card advertising The Byron Society, an interdepartmental communication to Kenneth MacMillan from Iris (Law), Administrative Director of The Royal Ballet, 29.2.1980, and a brown paper envelope
One scenario is dated 11.7.1980, copyright : June 1979, the other is undated
Francis Rainey wrote to Kenneth MacMillan suggesting the novel by Hans Henry Jahnn, The Leaden Night, as a ballet, with music by Hans von Bose. There is a chronology of the life of Jahnn, a synopsis and photocopies of some poems, not by Jahnn, set by von Bose, 28.1.1982-16.5.1982
One letter from Glenda Mello sending a description for a three-act ballet based on Prosper Merimee's novel Colomba, 7.4.1980, with Kenneth MacMillan's reply, 10.5.1980
Jean-Pierre Gasquet, partner of Alexander Grant, dancer with The Royal Ballet and Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada, submitted two versions of a libretto for a ballet Exit the King, based on Eugene Ionesco's play Le Roi se meurt, both with covering letters, one undated, one dated 7 and 8.3.1982
John Wilding, actor, author and playwright, wrote to Kenneth MacMillan with several suggestions for ballets. He sent the typescript for 'Dracula First breakdown for a three act ballet in eight scenes', with covering letter 16.2.1981, pages from a programme and photocopies of reviews for his play The Secret of Jack the Ripper at the Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch, Essex, England in 1978, a photocopy of a letter from the Head of Comedy, Light Entertainment, Television at the BBC 19.1.1981, and two letters one enclosing a copy of his book and of his play, 14 and 22.11.1990
Nobuko Albery was married to Donald Albery, administrator for Sadler's Wells Ballet in the 1940s. She encloses a synopsis of a ballet based on the life of the Noh creator Zeami. 22.3.1982-16.12.1982
Typed scenario for Little Red Riding Good A Fable by Roxanne Shafer, copyright 1983
Shafer, Roxanne