Identity area
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Date(s)
- 1984-1989 (Creation)
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Six handwritten and 20 typed letters, one handwritten note, five envelopes, one handwritten card, six pages of memorial notes and corresponding order of service, one telegram, one interdepartmental communication, two minutes and notes of meetings, eight press cuttings, three press releases, one printed menu, one printed section from book jacket, two typed schedules and two copies of an order of service
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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Name of creator
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Administrative correspondence includes minutes and notes of meetings of the Development Working Group, 1984, re Manon in Australia, Anastasia, 1985, video recordings at the Royal Opera House, 1986-87, the revivals of Rite of Spring and Romeo and Juliet in 1987/88 and 1989, dedicating performances of Gloria and Requiem to the memory of Julian Hosking and Greg Bellamy, 1989, the proposed move of Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet to Birmingham, 1989, request from Hong Kong Ballet to purchase Rituals, 1989, and plans for celebrations for Kenneth MacMillan's 60th birthday in 1989. A letter from Bernard Haitink expresses his joy at conducting performances of Romeo and Juliet, 1989.
Press cuttings cover the dispute between Kenneth MacMillan and Michael Somes, 1984, Norman Morrice's response to criticisms over standards at The Royal Ballet, 1985, and a short interview with Jennifer Penney, 1985.
Press releases cover the appointment of Kenneth MacMillan as Artistic Associate of American Ballet Theatre, 1984, and of Isaiah Jackson as Music Director of The Royal Ballet, 1987, and there are interdepartmental communications listing press nights.
There is correspondence:
- between Kenneth MacMillan, Ninette de Valois and Ann Nugent following Nugent's article in The Stage reporting Madam's criticism of contemporary choreographers, plus a copy of the article, 1985
- between John Sainsbury and Kenneth MacMillan re MacMillan's concern at the Board's lack of confidence in him, plus a letter from Jeremy Isaacs to Maggi Hambling in response to MacMillan's concern expressed in an article in the Evening Standard, 1989
- from Ninette de Valois recommending Rumer Godden [possibly to assist with the scenario for The Prince of the Pagodas], n.d.
- Kenneth MacMillan's handwritten notes and final version of a tribute to Barry Kay, plus copies of the order of service and a handwritten card from Michael [Werner], and a telegram from John Tooley expressing sympathy, 1985
There is a menu for a dinner in honour of Claus Moser, 1987, and two copies of the Order for the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Sir Frederick Ashton, 1988
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Name access points
- MacMillan, Kenneth (Subject)
- Royal Opera House, London (Subject)
- The Royal Ballet (Subject)
- de Valois, Ninette (Subject)