Showing 839 results

The programme for the first night was dedicated by Kenneth MacMillan to Dame Margot Fonteyn, Prima Ballerina Assoluta of The Royal Ballet. The material in this file comprises:

1. Proof copies of four pages of the first night programme giving the production credits and cast list and the synopsis and a programme note by Colin Thubron
2. Three handwritten versions of a programme note by Kenneth MacMillan describing how he progressed from watching The Sleeping Beauty in the wings at the Royal Opera House in 1946 with John Cranko to creating The Prince of the Pagodas, and the similarities between the works. A photocopied version has amendments in red ink and there is a final typed version with covering handwritten note from 'Aunt Louise'. Undated

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