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Kenneth MacMillan was commissioned by Herbert Ross to recreate the two one-act ballets originally choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky, Jeux and Le Sacre du printemps, for Ross's film Nijinsky, a True Story which premiered at the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London on 25.6.1980. The material in this file consists of

1. One souvenir programme for the Royal Gala Premiere of the film at the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London
2. Two tickets for the Royal Gala Premiere, with envelope (decorated by Charlotte MacMillan?)
3. One press pack for the film in presentation folder, with typed covering letter from Herbert Ross, 28.2.1980, 13 black and white photographs of headshots of the cast in character, with typed captions, and four press releases about Herbert Ross, George de la Pena, Nora Kaye and the film, and a Handbook of Production Information. All prepared by Paramount Pictures Corporation, New York. Copyright 1980. With envelope from Paramount Pictures Corporation, Hollywood, California
4. One handwritten letter from Richard Buckle to Kenneth MacMillan congratulating him on his recreation of Jeux and with further comments on the film, 23.4.1980. With handwritten envelope (Buckle re Nijinsky film written on reverse of envelope by Jann Parry in black biro)
5. One printed double-sided programme sheet for a screening of Nijinsky at the National Film Theatre, London, with introduction by John Fraser, researcher for the film, and programme note by Jane Pritchard. Undated

Following Kenneth MacMillan's involvement in the Herbert Ross film of Nijinsky, Kenneth MacMillan conceived the idea of a television ballet-drama about Nijinsky's life. He initially discussed the project with London Weekend Television and then with Granada. The material in this file contains correspondence with both organisations and comprises

1. Two typed letters from Melvyn Bragg to Kenneth MacMillan on The South-Bank Show, London Weekend Television letter headed paper, discussing the idea of a collaboration on a Nijinsky work and expressing Melvyn Bragg's delight at the possibility of working with Kenneth MacMillan, one with envelope, 24 Oct 1978 and 15 Nov 1978
2. One typed letter from Nick Elliott to Kenneth MacMillan on London Weekend Television letter headed paper, attaching a photocopy of a two page memo from Nick Elliott to Michael Grade, attempting to move the project forward, 5 Jan 1979. With notes by Kenneth MacMillan in blue felt tip pen and pencil
3. One typed letter from Michael Grade to Kenneth MacMillan on London Weekend Television letter headed paper, congratulating Kenneth MacMillan on the Evening Standard award, and looking forward to 'next year and Nijinsky!' 1 Feb 1979
4. One telegram to Kenneth MacMillan from Michael Oliver, Kenneth MacMillan's agent, confirming Granada's interest in opening discussions re the Nijinsky project, 7 Apr 1979
5. One carbon copy of a letter from Kenneth MacMillan to Michael Grade, London Weekend Television, attaching two pages of a proposed treatment and a page of descriptions of some visual effects, plus one typed note from Nick Elliott to Kenneth MacMillan on London Weekend Television headed notepaper confirming the return of the treatment and expressing sorrow that plans did not work out, 25 Mar 1979 and 2 Apr 1979
6. One typed letter from Sir Denis Forman on Granada Television headed notepaper expressing desire to proceed to the next stage with the projected programme about Nijinsky and Diaghilev, which would be to commission Clive James to produce a treatment for the programme, 26 Apr 1979
7. Photocopies of two letters, one to Violette Verdy at the Paris Opera and one to Marcia Haydee at Stuttgart Ballet confirming that there is no definite news of Nijinsky and expressing concern that Patrick Dupond and Birgit Kiel would be left without roles if the project does not go ahead. 26 Jul 1979
8. Two handwritten letters from Kenneth MacMillan to Denis Forman, one seeking confirmation of the project going ahead as dancers need to be confirmed, 28 Jul 1979, the second responding to Clive James's first treatment, n.d.
9. One handwritten letter from Clive James to Kenneth MacMillan, on The Observer newspaper headed notepaper but as from Cambridge home address re retaining their rights in the Nijinsky project, 10 Aug 1979
10. One handwritten draft or copy of a letter by Kenneth MacMillan to Sir Denis Forman thanking him for returning the Nijinsky treatment and expressing disappointment that the industrial action has made things impossible but hoping that they can return to the subject in the future, 23 Sep 1979
11. One typed letter from Sir Denis Forman on Granada Television Ltd headed notepaper to Kenneth MacMillan expressing disappointment that the strike made collaboration over Nijinsky impossible but hoping that they can meet with Tanya Bruce-Lockhart to discuss MacMillan's treatment, in case they are able to return to the project. With envelope, 4 Oct 1979
12. 21 handwritten and 16 typed pages of the treatment for Nijinsky, some written by Kenneth MacMillan and some by Deborah MacMillan, originals and carbon copies, some large

Ninette de Valois was the Founder Director of The Royal Ballet and commissioned the first ballet from Kenneth MacMillan. The material in this file comprises

1. Five Christmas cards, four to Kenneth and Deborah and one to Charlotte MacMillan, undated
2. Handwritten letter on Royal Opera House headed notepaper, wishing Kenneth MacMillan every success, 'Not many approved of 'The Rake' 1st time!', Mar 2nd, no year
3. Handwritten letter thanking them both for the telegram. Mentions crutches. 'I hear that Manon was terrific', 21 Jan 1982
4. Handwritten letter expressing regret that Kenneth MacMillan was unable to attend the gala, and that he's missing the School show - 'a talent spotting occassion (sic) for choreographers', undated but envelope postmarked 13 Jun 1988
5. Handwritten letter expressing delight in his American award, the Performing Arts EMMY Award for A Lot of Happiness, 1982, undated but envelope postmarked 29 Nov 1982
6. Typed letter reporting has been in bed for nearly a fortnight with shingles, and asking him to telephone when he is back from America, 26 Jun 1985
7. Handwritten letter thanking him for his lovely new divertissement, Soiree Musicale, performed by pupils of the Royal Ballet School at the Royal Opera House, London for Ninette de Valois' 90th birthday, undated but envelope postmarked 28 Jul 1988
8. Typed letter to Deborah MacMillan thanking her for the party. 'Dear Kenneth would dig himself in on a lonely hill like that!', 10 Aug 1994

Kenneth MacMillan created the one-act ballet Noctambules for Sadler's Wells Ballet which premiered on 1 Mar 1956 at the Royal Opera House, London. The material in this file comprises

1. One hand drawn cartoon with the inscription 'a certain mysterious veiled lady wishes you good luck for your work on Noctambules...9 Jan 1956', by Jeffrey Solomons. Unsigned but identified by Deborah MacMillan
2. Six telegrams wishing Kenneth MacMillan good luck on the first night of Noctambules, from Michael Somes, All at (Sadler's Wells) Theatre Ballet, Margot Fonteyn, 'Madam' (Ninette de Valois), Vivien and Laurence Olivier, and Robert Irving, 1 Mar 1956
3. Handwritten letter from Leslie Edwards on Royal Opera House headed notepaper to Kenneth MacMillan thanking him for entrusting him with such a wonderful role, undated
4. Three handwritten pages on two sheets of paper of analysis and suggestions for alterations to the choreography, by Ninette de Valois, undated

Ballerina Nora Kaye met Kenneth MacMillan in 1956 when he choreographed Winter's Eve for American Ballet Theatre. Nora Kaye and her husband, choreographer and director Herbert Ross were great friends of Kenneth MacMillan and his family. The material in this file consists mostly of letters expressing that friendship. It comprises

1. Delivery card to accompany flowers after seeing one of Kenneth MacMillan's ballets, n.d.
2. Handwritten card from Herbert Ross and Nora Kaye written by Nora, to Kenneth, Deborah and Charlotte, enclosing an unspecified gift , n.d.
3. Handwritten letter from Nora Kaye, enclosing photographs to remind them of their visit. Sending Kenneth MacMillan good wishes for The Seven Deadly Sins, n.d.
4. Handwritten letter from Nora Kay, mentioning Kenneth MacMillan's pending foot operation and Charlotte's tonsils. Also references to Misha (Mikhail Baryshnikov), Rudy (Rudolf Nureyev), Anthony Dowell and Norman Morrice, July 1st, no year
5. Handwritten note from Nora Kay enclosing an interview (not in file). Reference to Leslie [Browne] and Antony Tudor, n.d.
6. Typed letter from Herbert Ross inviting Kenneth and Deborah and baby for the summer, 19 Jul 1976
7. Telegram from Nora to Kenneth in Stuttgart, pleased with rushes of Romeo and Juliet, with envelope, 14 Sep 1976
8. Typed letter from Herbert Ross on Columbia Pictures headed notepaper, pleased that Kenneth liked the film [The Turning Point] and thanking him for letting them use the pas de deux from Romeo and Juliet, with envelope, 9 Jan 1978
9. Typed letter signed by Herbert and Nora to Deborah with thanks for Deborah's notes and congratulations on the wonderful reviews of Kenneth's ballet, with envelope, 26 Jun 1978
10. Typed letter signed by Herbert and Nora thanking Kenneth and Deborah for package from Fortnum and Masons, with envelope and covering note from Assistant to Herbert Ross apologising for delay, 19 Sep 1978
11. Three letters from Arlene Brownstein, Secretary to Herbert Ross, enclosing copies of the telephone bills for period when Kenneth and Deborah stayed at Herbert and Nora's homes in New York and Malibu, and one letter acknowledging receipt of payment, 16 Nov 1981 - 26 Feb 1982
12. One telegram from Nora [Kaye] with alteration to travel schedule, n.d.

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

One handwritten letter from Brenda Last, Artistic Director of the Norwegian National Ballet, asking if Kenneth MacMillan could create or mount an existing work on the Company, possibly Solitaire, 13 Oct 1971, signed Birdie

The material in this file comprises

1. One unlined notebook with Kenneth MacMillan's thoughts on the play and its production, n.d.
2. An extract from A Look at Tennessee Williams by Mike Steen, publ. Hawthorn Books, USA, 1969, which is an interview with Estelle Parsons about performing Tennessee Williams
3. American Blues: The Plays of Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams by Kenneth Tynan, a chapter from The Modern American Theatre ed. by Alvin B. Kernan, publ. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, USA, 1967