Kenneth MacMillan won the International Emmy Award for A Lot of Happiness, a ballet created for Granada Televsion in 1982, and for The Judas Tree, his final work for The Royal Ballet in 1992. The material in this file includes a memo and letter about A Lot of Happiness, 1982, a press release from the Royal Opera House about the television film of Kenneth MacMillan's ballet The Judas Tree winning the Emmy Award, 1992, and a Granada Golden Jubilee publication giving a history of the Granada Group of Companies including A Lot of Happiness winning the International Emmy Award, with photograph. There is a compliments slip from Herbert Ross with the publication

In 1993 Kenneth MacMillan's one-act ballet The Judas Tree was nominated for the Best New Dance Production, and Carousel was nominated for the Best Musical Revival. This file contains Deborah MacMillan's handwritten acceptance speech, one typed letter to Deborah MacMillan detailing arrangements for the evening with one typed page of timetable, 10 Apr 1993, two printed invitations to the Champagne Reception and Celebration Dinner, two ticket envelopes, two ticket stubs, one printed brochure giving seating arrangement for the Celebration Dinner and two souvenir programmes.

One file containing choreographic notes by Kenneth MacMillan, some on the typed scenario provided by Brian Elias. The material comprises

1. Small page of handwritten notes covering domestic issues and including Ring Jock McF(adyen), Ring Jock (McFadyen), Ted (Thorpe) and Gillian (Freeman), Note for Ninette (de Valois)
2. Small page of handwritten notes, some movements, some mood and characters. On the reverse of a medical prescription
3. Two pages of handwritten notes on letter headed paper, one page outlining the different movements and new timings, 17 Sep 1989 and 9 Feb 1990 pencil and blue felt tip pen, one page listing the names of the apostles with emotions and music and timings, in blue and black felt tip pen, 17 Sep 1989 and 19 Jan 1990
4. Two pages of lined paper with break down of timings written by Brian Elias, one page is a photocopy, both pages with annotations by Kenneth MacMillan. One dated 5 Sep 1990
5. One photocopied page with break down of the number of bars for each of two parts of the ballet, with indication of tempos and timings, by Brian Elias. With handwritten notes about the characters of Judas and Jesus by Kenneth MacMillan in black biro, 8 May 1990
6. One page with a handwritten list of the names of the apostles by Kenneth MacMillan in black felt tip pen. On the reverse of an unconnected fax
7. One page with typed scenario of the ballet by Brian Elias, divided into Sections with details of Duration, Bar Numbers and Narration. With 1st draft Oct 1990 and Total number of minutes handwritten by Brian Elias. With handwritten annotations by Kenneth MacMillan on front and reverse of the fax
8. One page with typed scenario of the ballet, as item 7 but without the hand-written additions by Brian Elias. With handwritten annotations by Kenneth MacMillan on front and reverse of the page, giving dancers names, descriptions of movements and actions, in pencil and black felt tip pen
9. One photocopied page of item 8, with additional handwritten annotations by Kenneth MacMillan giving dancers names, in pencil
10. Two pages of handwritten notes by Kenneth MacMillan, in black biro and black felt tip pen. On the reverse of typed rehearsal schedules for The Royal Ballet at Barons Court and at the Royal Opera House
11. One brown envelope opened out with handwritten notes by Kenneth MacMillan giving list of dancers names and breakdown of the parts of the ballet, in pencil. Envelope postmarked 7 Feb 1992
12. One A3 copy of the scenario of the ballet with no notes (large)

The material in this file contains research material relating to the religious background for this ballet. It comprises

1. One handwritten letter from The Rev. Dr. John Brothwood to Deborah and Kenneth MacMillan accompanying some background on the apostles. Dr Brothwood promises to send more information if he can find any. 14 Dec 1991
2. Two pages of photocopies of four pages from The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels, published by Penguin, 1990.
3. 12 pages of photocopies of 24 pages from an uncredited publication. They give brief biographies of the apostles and disciples, listed in date order of their saint's day. The names of some apostles and disciples have been underlined in yellow marker pen and there are some under-linings and notes by Kenneth MacMillan in blue felt-tip pen.
4. Eight pages of photocopies of 16 pages from Words and Idioms Associated with Judas Iscariot, by Wayland D Hand, with note of publication and British Library catalogue reference (large)
5. 19 pages of photocopies of 37 pages from The Mediavel Legend of Judas Iscariot by Paull Fanklin Baum, with note of publication and British Library catalogue reference (large)
6. 12 pages of photocopies of 24 pages from Tales From Ulithi Atoll by William A Lessa, with note of publication and British Library catalogue reference (large)
7. Five typed pages of Notes on Mary and Judas taken from series That Week in Jerusalem (Ronald Eyre/BBC 1) Easter Week 1991. Mary Madgalene was played by Juliet Stevenson and Judas Iscariot by Bruce Alexander. The notes give background and character details, and notes of significant events. They also discuss their position in society

The majority of correspondence is from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan with additional letters to Deborah MacMillan and personnel at the Royal Opera House, London. There is also some photocopied reference material that Brian Elias has forwarded to Kenneth MacMillan, and cassette tapes of two recordings of the score. The material comprises

1. Three photocopied pages about the Judas Tree plant, from The Independent on Sunday 13 May 1990, Plant Portrait: 16 Judas Tree by Mary Keen, from Planting a Bible Garden by F. Nigel Webber, published HMSO, London 1987, and Trees and Shrubs Throughout the Year by Blanche Henrey and W.J.Bean, published by Lindsay Drummond, London 1944
2. Two photocopies of one sheet of lined paper with a handwritten list by Brian Elias of the apostles with brief notes about their music, with timings. One page has additional notes
3. Photocopy of a two page list of the Apostles with details of their other names, feast day, symbol in art and manner of death, the original handwritten by Brian Elias.
4. Handwritten letter from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, thanking him for tickets for Anastasia and looking forward to hearing from him 'whenever you wish to start'. With envelope. 27 Jun 1989
5. Handwritten postcard from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, thanking him for tickets for La Bayadere which he 'learned a tremendous amount from watching....What dire music though'. Elias intends to start writing by the middle of this month. The card is dated 2nd October, probably 1989
6. Handwritten compliments slip from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan sending 16 photocopies of 32 pages from an uncredited publication, with chapters on The Myth of the Redemption and The New World. The first page is inscribed Kenneth in Elias's handwriting. 10 May 1990
7. Handwritten compliments slip from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan sending 15 photocopies of 30 pages from two uncredited religious dictionaries. The first has the entry for Apostle highlighted in yellow marker pen, the second the names of different apostles underlined in yellow marker pen. 2 Feb 1990
8. Six pages of photocopied entries from an uncredited religious dictionary with entries on the apostles
9. Typed letter from Brian Elias to Anthony Russell-Roberts, Administrative Director of The Royal Ballet discussing the date for the new ballet, choice of conductor, and costs of preparing the tape of the first half of the score. Also gives detail of progress of the score and dates when piano and orchestral scores should be completed. 21 Jul 1990
10. Handwritten letter from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan enclosing the tape made the previous week. The letter includes a brief breakdown of the structure with a more detailed breakdown to follow.
11. Cassette tape labelled Brian Elias New Ballet Score - 19' to end of Variation 9, 2 piano recording made 4 Jul 1990 with Andrew Ball and Susan Bradshaw
12. Cassette tape labelled Brian Elias New Ballet for Kenneth MacMillan Piano Sketch 2 Pianos: Andrew Ball and Susan Bradshaw (rec. 4 Jul 1990 and 4 Oct 1990), ca.38'20"
13. One photocopy of the scenario for The Judas Tree prepared by Brian Elias, on A3 paper. A further copy in RAD/2/MAC/3/1/20/1 is titled 1st draft Oct 1990
14. Handwritten compliments slip from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, enclosing a 'rough' scenario as promised. A4 version of item 13. 9 Oct 1990
15. Handwritten letter form Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan asking him to telephone to clarify a couple of details: is the title definitely The Judas Tree, and agreeing to silence and darkness when the curtain rises and at what point the lights go on. Elias wants to mark the last two timings in the score. 1 Oct 1990
16. Typed letter from Brian Elias to Bram Gay, Orchestra Director at the Royal Opera House, London, writing with details of the orchestra for Kenneth MacMillan's new ballet. 19 Oct 1990
17. Six typed pages of The Judas Tree 'Scenario' - second draft, with timings. 4 Apr 1991
18. Handwritten postcard from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, enclosing a copy of a book on the Gnostic Gospels (not included). Suggesting they meet soon to listen to the whole of the piano tape together. 7 May 1991
19. Handwritten letter from Brian Elias to Kenneth and Deborah MacMillan thanking them for their note and their response to his dedication of the music to Kenneth and the piece to both of them. Thanking them also for the faith they showed in him and for their support and friendship. 11 Jul 1991
20. Handwritten postcard from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, still working hard on the rape. With envelope postmarked 4 Feb 1992
21. Handwritten postcard from Brian Elias to Deborah and Kenneth MacMillan, thanking them for a lovely evening and congratulations on finishing The Judas Tree. 1st March, probably 1992
22. Handwritten postcard from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, thinking of him and hoping that all is going well. 4th Feb, probably 1992
23. Photocopy of two handwritten pages, giving the outline of the work, the music sections with timings, development of the 'plot', and a timeline. Undated but possibly after the premiere, March 1992
24. Typed letter from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, thanking him for the opportunity of working with him on The Judas Tree which has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. The greatest reward has been MacMillan's creative response to the score. With envelope. 31 Mar 1992
25. Copy of a typed letter from Brian Elias to James Rushton, Managing Director, Chester Music, formally stating his wish that his music for The Judas Tree should not be made available to any other choreographer in any form. He is happy for the music to be performed without choreography as a concert piece. Elias also asks if plans are going ahead to publish the score, and if there is any progress re the CD recording. With a covering handwritten note to Deborah MacMillan. 7 Apr 1997

Correspondence and typed material comprising

1. One typed letter from Tirzah Lowen about a book proposal on 'theatre beyond words' in which she would like to include the process of making a production. 8 Mar 1991. With Kenneth MacMillan's typed reply explaining that he is nervous to have anyone in the room initially but maybe she could attend some later rehearsals, 12 Jul 1991
2. Two typed pages of a review of The Judas Tree by Eric Bolton
3. Copy of a typed letter from James Rushton, Managing Director of Chester Music, to Anthony Russell-Roberts, Administrative Director of The Royal Ballet expressing his disappointment at the postponement of a revival of The Judas Tree and the effect this would have on the possibility of filming the ballet, 31 Mar 1995
4. One typed letter from the External Lectures Committee of the British Psycho-Analytical Society, London, to Deborah MacMillan thanking her for Irek Mukhamedov's schedule and the possibility of a talk when he is next appearing in The Judas Tree, 25 Jul 1996
5. Two copies of a typed note by Deborah MacMillan describing the genesis of the ballet and its content. With a hand-written note to Hywel David at the Royal Opera House describing her journey to the East End. Undated

The file contains correspondence before and after the first performance of The Judas Tree. The material comprises

1. One handwritten fax by Kenneth MacMillan to The Evening Standard querying comments in the paper given in advance of the first night. On The Royal Ballet headed notepaper, undated
2. Typed letter from C. N. Henty-Dodd to Kenneth MacMillan, cancelling his tickets to the first night following the article in the Evening Standard. Suggesting The Judas Tree be replaced with the story of a mystic snow goose, 13 Mar 1992
3. Two page handwritten letter from The Rev.Dr.John Brothwood to Kenneth and Deborah MacMillan, thanking them for the tickets and giving a response to The Judas Tree, 20 Jan 1992. With a note by Jann Parry giving the date of Dr Brothwood's ordination in Southwark Cathedral and that Kenneth and Deborah attended
4. Good luck telegram from Garry Trinder, NAPAC, 16 Mar 1992
5. One page handwritten letter from Jock McFadyen to Kenneth MacMillan expressing his admiration for Kenneth MacMillan and the work and stating 'it's a privilege to have been involved with it', 19 Mar 1992
6. Handwritten card from Anthony Dowell to Kenneth MacMillan sending love and good wishes for a great success. Accompanied a 'brutal looking gift', 19 Mar 1992
7. One page handwritten letter from Cormac Rigby to Kenneth MacMillan congratulating him and giving an analysis of the ballet. On Church of The Most Sacred Heart headed notepaper. 20 Mar 1992
8. One page typed letter from June Williams, Composer Manager at Chester Music, London, praising the ballet. 2 Apr 1992
9. One handwritten card of congratulations from Chris and Lester. 3 Apr 1992
10. One photocopy of a handwritten letter from Kenneth MacMillan to Brian Elias thanking him for his letter and for his music for the ballet. 8 Apr 1992
11. One handwritten fax from Kenneth Williams (sic) to Ali Bongo thanking him for all his help on The Judas Tree. On Kenneth MacMillan & Partner headed notepaper. 8 Apr 1992

Kenneth MacMillan created this one act ballet for The Royal Ballet which received its first performance on 19 Mar 1992 at the Royal Opera House, London. The score was commissioned from Brian Elias with designs by Jock McFadyen

Photograph of Kenneth MacMillan with Viviana Durante during a break in rehearsals for The Judas Tree