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- 1966-1990, n.d. (Creation)
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one handwritten draft and five typed letters with one envelope, three menus, four pages of typed notes, one typed list, one handwritten compliments slip and one photocopy of a typed article
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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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This file contains correspondence from Ken[sington] Davison and Phyllida Ritter, Organising Secretary of The Friends of Covent Garden, and one draft letter by [Deborah MacMillan]. It comprises:
From Ken Davison:
- enclosing photographs used in About the House, 17 May 1966
- 'Madam's Luncheon' at the Dorchester Hotel, London, 22 Jun 1978, with menu and envelope
- postponement of the Friends Council Meeting, with four pages of notes for the forthcoming meeting, 2 Jun 1980
- reception in the Crush Bar at the Royal Opera House on 5 May 1981 [the 50th anniversary of The Royal Ballet] with a list of dancers invited to attend. The performance was of The Sleeping Beauty
- Menu for the Friends of Covent Garden Lunch at the Savoy Hotel, London, in honour of The Royal Ballet in their 50th anniversary year, 4 Jun 1981, in the presence of HRH The Princess Margaret
- re Lunch and Listen 'Chat Show' on 25 Nov 1983, with Kenneth MacMillan and Christopher Carr
From [Deborah MacMillan] - Handwritten draft letter from [Deborah MacMillan] to Kensington [Davison] about lack of tickets for The Friends Christmas Party
From Phyllida Ritter: - Menu for the Friends of Covent Garden luncheon in honour of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's 60th birthday, 9 Jan 1990, in the Crush Bar of the Royal Opera House
- handwritten compliments slip attaching a copy of an article written by Clement Crisp about Kenneth MacMillan's work for About the House, 17 Jan 1990
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- MacMillan, Kenneth (Subject)
- MacMillan, Deborah (Subject)
- The Friends of Covent Garden (Subject)
- Royal Opera House, London (Subject)