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These files contain interviews with and general articles about Kenneth MacMillan, focussing on or providing a review of specific periods in his career, notifications of his death, obituaries and tributes

One typed letter from Phyllis C.Kaufman to Kenneth MacMillan about a new play by an American playwright that she believes it would be ideal for him to direct, 20 Feb 1978

Kenneth MacMillan first met playwright John Osborne in 1958 when he was invited to create the choreography for Osborne's musical The World of Paul Slickey. The correspondence in this file comprises

1. Two handwritten letters from John Osborne to Kenneth MacMillan explaining why the play he was working on for him has altered, both undated
2. Typed compliments slip on John Osborne headed note paper, signed John, 12.12.1958
3. Handwritten letter from John Osborne praising Romeo and Juliet and inviting Kenneth to supper on his return from Stuttgart. Also mentions a play that requires some choreography that he would like Kenneth's help with, on Woodfall Film Productions Ltd headed notepaper, 4.3.1965
4. Typed note from John Osborne to Deborah and Kenneth thanking them for remembering 'our little opening', on John Osborne headed notepaper, 27.2.1976
5. Typed letter from John Osborne to Kenneth MacMillan asking if he could improve the dance elements in his new play Dejavu. Also gives details of his poor health, with envelope, 18.5.1992
6. Handwritten copy of Kenneth MacMillan's reply to the above letter, explaining why he cannot help and sympathising with his health issues, in pencil, undated
7. Handwritten letter in reply to above expressing his sorry that Kenneth wasn't able to see Dejavu but pleased to hear he is doing Carousel. Explains some of the difficulties he is facing but happy to be in contact after so long, 21.10.1992

The material in this folder comprises

1. Two handwritten postcards in humorous style one of which could be considered offensive. One dated 25.7.1960
2. One handwritten letter in red ink with a drawing in black pen and ink and black and grey watercolour of a stylish woman in coat with large collar and cuffs and a large Tam O'Shanter hat. Arriving in London, excited to see Kenneth MacMillan's 'new creation', references Lynn(ie) (Seymour), Jan 25, no year
3. One handwritten note in red ink about a rumoured visit from Sara, written around a pen and ink and black and grey watercolour drawing of a stylish woman in a coat with large collar and cuffs and a pill box hat, undated

This file contains reviews of Feux Follets

Photocopies of press cuttings from local Retford newspapers with reviews of performances by, and details of successes of Miss Thomas's students, including mentions of Kenneth MacMillan in performances, his move to Sadler's Wells Ballet, his success in the Grade 1 examination of the Royal Academy of Dancing

1. Correspondence between the Victoria and Albert Museum and Kenneth MacMillan regarding the loan of items from his collection of costume jewellery for inclusion in the Jewels of Fantasy exhibition 18 Mar 1992-5 Jul 1992. Includes lists of the items on loan with valuations, a copy of the Government Indemnity, receipt on return of the items. 12 pages plus copies of 32 loan forms for individual items, completed by Deborah MacMillan
2. Copy of a fax from Vivienne Berger including text for the section in the exhibition devoted to the items loaned by Kenneth MacMillan. Includes details of how he began collecting costume jewellery and what influenced his choices. Two pages. 14 Feb 1992
3. Handwritten fax from Deborah MacMillan to Victoria and Albert Museum granting permission to film items from Kenneth MacMillan's collection for The Clothes Show. 19 Feb 1992
4. Two typed letters from Lesley Woodbridge, Exhibitions Officer at the Victoria and Albert Museum, one saying how popular the exhibition is proving, one after the exhibition has ended thanking Kenneth MacMillan for the loan of items and stating how popular the exhibition proved to be. Two pages, 30 Apr 1992 and 3 Aug 1992
5. 11 polaroid colour photographs of items to be loaned, some with valuations added
6. Two copies of an invitation to the Private View of the exhibition, 17 Mar 1992
7. Press cutting of a review of the exhibition by Tanya Harrod, with colour photographs including a leaf brooch by de Lillo courtesy of Sir Kenneth MacMillan. Cutting uncredited and undated

1. Two letters from Swarovski thanking Deborah MacMillan for the loan of items for the exhibition in New York, one letter from Vivienne Becker with details of which items they wish to borrow, and confirmation of collection of the jewellery for transportation to New York. 23 Feb 1993
2. Copies of six individual loan forms from Swarovski for items to be loaned, completed and signed by Deborah MacMillan. With colour photographs attached to each loan form. 23 Feb 1993. One list of items delivered to Swarovski Jewels of Fantasy, handwritten and signed by Deborah MacMillan, 24 Feb 1993

Kenneth MacMillan's interest in costume jewellery began in the mid-1980s when he was in New York, working at American Ballet Theatre. His first purchase was a brooch by Miriam Haskell and he went on to concentrate on American makers including Haskell, Eisenberg, Pennino, Hobe and Kenneth Jay Lane. He became a serious and knowledgeable collector amassing over 1000 pieces and in 1992 was asked to loan items to the Victoria and Albert Museum for their exhibition on Jewels of Fantasy. Following MacMillan's death in 1992, Deborah MacMillan was asked to loan items for the exhibition when it toured to the Fashion Institute in New York under the auspices of Swarovski.

Jeffrey Solomons first met Kenneth MacMillan in 1949/50. They had shared interests in music and film as well as visual arts. Solomons later became an art dealer. The material in this file comprises four cartoons by Solomons

1. Kenneth MacMillan at the Diaghilev exhibition mounted by Richard Buckle in Edinburgh in 1954
2. a concert by John Cage and David Tudor on prepared pianos
3. a ballet dancer and good luck message
4. a ventriloquist's dummy sitting on ventriloquist's knee, a good luck card