Partie 1 - Notes and Correspondence

Two pages of notes, three handwritten letters, two typed lists, six typed letters, one typed inter departmental communication, one press cutting, one page proof from first night programmes, plus copies of programme articles

The material in this file consists predominantly of notes and correspondence relating to the first night, with a small amount of material in response to the opening night. Kenneth MacMillan's concept for the ballet changed significantly during the rehearsal process causing the set and costumes to be simplified. This is reflected in some of the material which comprises:

1. Two pages of handwritten notes by Kenneth MacMillan on yellow interdepartmental communication paper. The notes lists dancers' names and the music for different episodes with page references. Undated
2. Two page handwritten letter from Yolanda Sonnabend to Kenneth MacMillan with 'thoughts after yesterday's meeting with John [B.Read], discussing lighting and the positioning and use of the bath. Pen and ink. Undated
3. Handwritten note from Yolanda Sonnabend to Kenneth MacMillan about make up for the dancers. In pencil on yellow inter departmental communication paper. Undated
4. Typed letter from Anthony Russell-Roberts, Administrative Assisant, The Royal Ballet, to Kenneth MacMillan re rehearsal schedule. On Royal Opera House headed notepaper, 10 Oct 1983
5. Typed cast list with alternative casts, 1984/85 February
6. Typed preliminary Props List, 14 Feb 1984
7. Photocopy of music note by Paul Griffiths for the programme with covering letter to Kenneth MacMillan and photocopied inter departmental communication requesting comments. Sent by Janet Jempson, Publications department at the Royal Opera House, 30 Jan 1984. The top page has a handwritten note 'Kenneth the Music Note for "------". P.B. [Peter Brownlee] suggesting that it was sent a second time to Kenneth MacMillan
8. Typed letter from John McMurray, Publications Editor at the Royal Opera House, to Kenneth MacMillan enclosing a copy of Michael Patterson's note on Buchner and Woyzeck, requesting comments. 7 Feb 1984. With photocopy of the note attached
9. Page proof of the cast list for the programme for the first performance of Different Drummer
10. Handwritten letter from Catherine Ashmore, photographer, to Kenneth MacMillan, expressing her disappointment at not being able to take the rehearsal pictures of his new ballet and thanking him for offering her the opportunity. 14 Feb 1984
11. Press cutting from Londoner's Diary in The Standard newspaper, 24 Feb 1984, reporting on the simplification of set and costumes for the ballet and suggesting a waste of funds, with photocopy of response from John Tooley, General Director of the Royal Opera House, 27 Feb 1984
12. Typed letter from John C Botts, Managing Director of Citicorp International Group, to Kenneth MacMillan, thanking him for allowing the company to participate in supporting the creation of his new ballet, 27 Feb 1984
13. Typed letter from Peter Brownlee to Kenneth MacMillan giving details of who to thank for sponsoring the ballet and the party, 27 Feb 1984
14. Typed idc from Anthony Russell-Roberts asking if 'Our President', [HRH the Princess Margaret] could sit in on a rehearsal, 3 Jan 1984

The notes by Kenneth MacMillan and the letters from Yolanda Sonnabend would be interesting to digitise, as would the press cutting and John Tooley's response to it

The notes by Kenneth MacMillan and the letters from Yolanda Sonnabend would be interesting to digitise, as would the press cutting and John Tooley's response to it. Also the interdepartmental communication about the request from Princess Margaret