Kenneth MacMillan created the one-act ballet Different Drummer for The Royal Ballet which received its premiere on 24 Feb 1984 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Material in the two files consists of notes and correspondence before the opening night, good luck telegrams and cards for the first night, and cards of congratulation. There are two pages of handwritten notes on choreographic score notation paper, mostly by Kenneth MacMillan, in pencil and black biro (large)
One handwritten page of a holiday in Corfu with Deborah and Charlotte as the guests of Anya and John Sainsbury. The notes detail the journey by private boat from Southampton to Corfu, and other guests at the villa including Colette Clarke
MacMillan, KennethKenneth MacMillan was Ballet Director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin from 1966 to 1969. Following this, Kenneth MacMillan returned to create and stage other works for the Company, including Different Drummer in 1991. The material in these files includes correspondence with the management of the Deutsche Oper, dancers, colleagues and friends, some financial details and printed items
MacMillan, KennethThree pages of costume designs for male characters in an unidentified ballet, pencil, ink, watercolour/gouache:
- Three designs showing costume, boots, wigs and headdresses
- One design with written details
- Three designs with some written details
One original design by Miriam Haskell showing a woman in a green dress and hat. The dress has a white/grey cowl neck. On the collar and around the right wrist are large pieces of jewellery featuring oak leaves and acorns. Miriam Haskell's name in black on silver with a black border has been pasted to the design at top left of the page. Pencil, watercolour, gouache, gold paint and black ink on card
Haskell, MiriamKenneth MacMillan's choice of records for BBC Radio programme Desert Island Discs, broadcast on 5 Mar 1983. The autograph handwritten list gives details of the chosen performer as well as the recording details. The typed version includes his choice of single disc, luxury item and one book. The reverse of the envelope includes a note 'Garrick 1o/c Roy Plummly (sic)' and 'Ring Michael Oliver'.
MacMillan, KennethDerek Rencher was a dancer with The Royal Ballet creating roles in several of Kenneth MacMillan's ballets. He studied design and art history at the Royal College of Art before becoming a dancer and was a skilled artist. The material in this file comprises
- One hand written colour postcard reporting on the success of Manon in Berlin, undated and postmark illegible
- A limerick about Iris (Law) and Gwyneth (Matthews), with accompanying sketch
- Stylised drawing titled Costume Romeo and Juliet Nursie Gerd Larsen, black pen and ink
Two dance certificates awarded to Kenneth MacMillan at the Derbyshire Dance Festival, June 1944
Derbyshire Dance FestivalIn 1992 the Arts Council invited Kenneth MacMillan to be a judge for the David Cohen British Literature Prize launched that year. The material in this file consists of the letter of invitation, a list of the jury with some brief handwritten notes beside three names, two copies of the authors to be considered with handwritten annotations on both, Kenneth MacMillan's handwritten draft letter of resignation from the jury and David Cohen's letter accepting his resignation, 11 May 1992 - 9 Oct 1992
MacMillan, Kenneth