Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- c.1880-2019 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
134 boxes
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
Name of creator
Biographical history
Born in Queensland, Australia, Deborah Williams was educated in Sydney, won a scholarship to and studied painting and sculpture at the National School of Art. She moved to London in 1970, where she married Kenneth MacMillan. She has designed ballets for the stage and television and returned to painting full-time in 1984. She was a member of the Board of the Royal Opera House (1993-94) and was Chairman of The Friends of Covent Garden (1995-96). Between 1996 and 1998 she was a member of the Arts Council of England and Chair of the dance panel. She has been a member of Kenneth MacMillan and Partner LLP since 2011 and is custodian of her late husband's work.
Repository
Archival history
The Archive was accumulated in the family home of Kenneth and Deborah MacMillan. Some material was sorted by Jann Parry, dance critic and author, when researching her authorised biography of Kenneth MacMillan commissioned by Deborah MacMillan to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his death. In 2016 Francesca Franchi, former Head of Collections at the Royal Opera House, was engaged by Deborah MacMillan to organise the Archive. As there had been no consistent structure to the Archive, one was created that reflected subject matter and/or material type. The Archive was donated to the Royal Academy of Dance in 2024.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Donated by Deborah MacMillan, 2024.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The Archive covers the life and career of Kenneth MacMillan. The earliest material relates to his family, subsequent material covers his time as a student and dancer, and his career as choreographer and artistic director in the UK and abroad. There is research material, choreographic notes, production files, photographs and designs relating to his ballets as well as a significant amount of correspondence with dancers and companies around the world. Administrative records include files from his agents containing contracts and correspondence. Following his death, there are details of his funeral and Thanksgiving Service and letters of condolence. Events and conferences addressing his career and legacy are also in the archive. There are collections of programmes, periodicals and press cuttings, as well as some books and other publications.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright in correspondence, photographs, designs, autograph and published material remains the ownership of the individual authors.
Language of material
English
French
German
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
A box list with file titles was prepared prior to deposit.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- MacMillan, Kenneth (Subject)