Identity area
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Title
Date(s)
- 1958-1992, undated (Creation)
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Four handwritten letters one with envelope, one typed letter, one typed note and one compliments slip
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Kenneth MacMillan was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, and began ballet classes in Retford, England, in 1940. He joined the Sadler's Wells Ballet School in 1944 and later the Sadler's Wells Ballet but gave up dancing for choreography partly due to crippling stage fright. His first choreographic work was Somnambulism, created for the Sadler's Wells Ballet Choreographic Group in 1953 and he created works for both Royal Ballet companies throughout his career. He created significant works for The Stuttgart Ballet and his works are danced by ballet companies world-wide. He has also created work for television and cinema.
Kenneth MacMillan was Director of the Deutsche Oper Ballet in Berlin from 1966 to 1969, Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet from 1970 to 1977 and its Principal Chroreographer from 1977 until his death. He was also Associate Director of American Ballet Theatre from 1984 to 1989, and Artistic Associate of the Houston Ballet from 1989 to 1992.
Kenneth MacMillan was knighted in 1983, and he received honorary degrees from the University of Edinburgh (1976) and the Royal College of Art (1992). His awards include the Evening Standard Ballet Award (1979); Society of West End Theatre Ballet Award, 1980 and 1983; and, posthumously, the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production in 1993 for The Judas Tree; the Society of London Theatre Special Award in 1993; and the Tony Award for Best Choreography in 1994 for Carousel
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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
- Two handwritten letters from John Osborne to Kenneth MacMillan explaining why the play he was working on for him has altered, both undated
- Typed compliments slip on John Osborne headed note paper, signed John, 12.12.1958
- 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
- Typed note from John Osborne to Deborah and Kenneth thanking them for remembering 'our little opening', on John Osborne headed notepaper, 27.2.1976
- 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
- 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
- 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
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Note
The letter about Romeo and Juliet has a sticky label with 're R & J' written in biro, attached to the top front of the letter
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Name access points
- MacMillan, Kenneth (Subject)
- Osborne, John (Subject)