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- 1982 (Creation)
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One bound Cash Book, five typed and four handwritten letters, one typed petty cash claim with five receipts, two handwritten postcards and one printed programme
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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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The Chairs and The Lesson were the first plays that Kenneth MacMillan directed for the theatre. The double bill opened on 16 Jul 1982 at the New Inn Theatre, London. Material comprises
- Single cash bound book with handwritten notes by Kenneth MacMillan on the mood of the play, the characters, and notes for the performances. 30 pages with notes, two for Dance of Death, the subsequent play he directed
- Copy of typed letter requesting performing rights for the plays. Unsigned, n.d.
- Programme for the performances, with The New Inn St Marys Rd Ealing W5 written by Kenneth MacMillan in pencil on the cover
- Typed letter from John Holloway to Kenneth MacMillan, with audience breakdown and payment details. Also thanking Kenneth MacMillan for the success of the double bill and inviting him to work at the New Inn whenever he likes. With two pages of accounts, n.d.
- Typed Petty Cash claim from Adam Harrison to Kenneth MacMillan, with five receipts, 19 Jul 1982
- Typed letter from Adam Harrison, Stage Manager, to Kenneth MacMillan with final details, 7 Aug 1982
- Handwritten letter from Armand [Gerrard] at The Touring Office apologising for being unable to find backing to take the plays to Edinburgh, 11Jul 1982
- Handwritten letter from Shelagh Fraser asking Kenneth MacMillan to read a play she has written, 12 Jul (1982)
- Handwritten letter from Richard Denning apologising to Kenneth MacMillan for pulling out of the production, 20 Jul 1982
- Handwritten good luck postcard from Mary [Miller] to Kenneth MacMIllan, n.d.
- Handwritten postcard from Mary [Miller] to Kenneth MacMillan, n.d.
- Handwritten letter from 'Prince Charles' to 'Lord MacMillan' with congratulations, 26 Jul 1982
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- MacMillan, Kenneth (Subject)
- Ionesco, Eugene (Subject)
- Miller, Mary (Subject)
- Fraser, Shelagh (Subject)
- Holloway, John (Subject)