Kenneth Macmillan - Facts & Information
Born in Scotland in 1929 the choreographer and dancer Kenneth MacMillan is widely regarded to have made an extensive contribution to dance in the 20th Century. From working class roots he grew up in Great Yarmouth and took up dance at the age of 12. He was accepted by the then-called Sadler's Wells Ballet that later became known as The Royal Ballet. A talented dancer, MacMillan was always more comfortable choreographing as opposed to performing.
MacMillan showed great promise as a dancer but he was afflicted with terrible stage fright and soon found himself more comfortable in the role of choreographer. In 1953 he choreographed Somnambulism followed by Laiderette in 1954, both pieces were well received and marked the young MacMillan out as a pioneering and innovative new choreographer. In 1955 he began to work under Sir Frederick Ashton choreographing for the Sadler's Wells Ballet.
A string of successes followed on while MacMillan was at Sadler's Wells Ballet these included Solitaire in 1956, The Invitation in 1960 and The Song of the Earth in 1965. He was also appointed to the position of resident choreographer at Sadler's Wells in 1965.
The same year as his appointment to resident choreographer (1965) MacMillan choreographed his version of Romeo and Juliet, which was met with much critical success. Considered to be one of his most loved pieces of dance. A falling out with The Royal Ballet however saw MacMillan moving to Berlin to work at the Deutsche Oper. It has been reported that MacMillan hated his time there but he stayed for 3 years between 1966 and 1969.
In 1970 MacMillan returned to the Royal Ballet as director where he succeeded Sir Frederick Ashton. He continued to choreograph and produce works of ballet that were widely acclaimed although he resigned as the company's director in 1977. He did not leave The Royal Ballet completely though, reverting back to the role he found the most natural for him - choreographer. Notable pieces of work he choreographed during this period include The Seven Deadly Sins in 1973, Elite Syncopations in1974, Mayerling in 1978, The Prince of the Pagodas in 1989 and The Judas Tree in 1992.
Kenneth MacMillan died of a heart attack in 1992. He left behind him an entire legacy of inspiring dance creations and will be remembered for his contributions to 20th Century choreography. His work divides opinion as he often confronted controversial issues and gritty realism within his works however it cannot be denied that this innovative and creative choreographer shaped the future for further exploration in the world of ballet and dance. - 2361
MacMillan showed great promise as a dancer but he was afflicted with terrible stage fright and soon found himself more comfortable in the role of choreographer. In 1953 he choreographed Somnambulism followed by Laiderette in 1954, both pieces were well received and marked the young MacMillan out as a pioneering and innovative new choreographer. In 1955 he began to work under Sir Frederick Ashton choreographing for the Sadler's Wells Ballet.
A string of successes followed on while MacMillan was at Sadler's Wells Ballet these included Solitaire in 1956, The Invitation in 1960 and The Song of the Earth in 1965. He was also appointed to the position of resident choreographer at Sadler's Wells in 1965.
The same year as his appointment to resident choreographer (1965) MacMillan choreographed his version of Romeo and Juliet, which was met with much critical success. Considered to be one of his most loved pieces of dance. A falling out with The Royal Ballet however saw MacMillan moving to Berlin to work at the Deutsche Oper. It has been reported that MacMillan hated his time there but he stayed for 3 years between 1966 and 1969.
In 1970 MacMillan returned to the Royal Ballet as director where he succeeded Sir Frederick Ashton. He continued to choreograph and produce works of ballet that were widely acclaimed although he resigned as the company's director in 1977. He did not leave The Royal Ballet completely though, reverting back to the role he found the most natural for him - choreographer. Notable pieces of work he choreographed during this period include The Seven Deadly Sins in 1973, Elite Syncopations in1974, Mayerling in 1978, The Prince of the Pagodas in 1989 and The Judas Tree in 1992.
Kenneth MacMillan died of a heart attack in 1992. He left behind him an entire legacy of inspiring dance creations and will be remembered for his contributions to 20th Century choreography. His work divides opinion as he often confronted controversial issues and gritty realism within his works however it cannot be denied that this innovative and creative choreographer shaped the future for further exploration in the world of ballet and dance. - 2361
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