Sir Kenneth MacMillan, although a dancer himself, is widely regarded for his contributions to choreography. Born in Dunfermline, Scotland on the 11th December 1929 to a working class family, Macmillan grew up in Great Yarmouth and took up dancing at the age of 12. Naturally gifted he moved to London when he was just 15 years old after being accepted by the Sadler's Wells Ballet.
McMillan was a talented dancer, however he suffered from debilitating stage fright and found himself more comfortable in the role of choreographer. He instantly became noticed with the first two ballets he choreographed -Somnambulism in 1953 and Laiderette in 1954. Although, just starting out Macmillan's choreography showed distinctive accomplishment and as early as 1955 he was creating works for Sadler's Wells, second only to legendary choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton.
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.
In 1965 Macmillan achieved great success with his first full-length work, Romeo and Juliet. Performed in three acts, the ballet is considered to be one of his best-loved pieces and shortly after choreographing Romeo and Juliet Macmillan was made the resident choreographer for The Royal Ballet. After a fall out with The Royal Ballet in 1966 over his work Song of the Earth, Macmillan left to work as director of the Deutsche Oper in Berlin where he stayed from 1966-69.
Macmillan returned to the Royal Ballet as director in 1970 succeeding Sir Frederick Ashton where he continued to produce and choreograph another string of widely acclaimed ballets that include Anastasia in 1971, The Seven Deadly sins in 1973, Manon in 1974, Requiem in 1976, Isadora in 1981 and his final piece in 1992, just before his death, The Judas Tree. He resigned as director of the Royal Ballet in 1977 however but continued to work as their resident choreographer - the role he preferred and felt more comfortable with.
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.
McMillan was a talented dancer, however he suffered from debilitating stage fright and found himself more comfortable in the role of choreographer. He instantly became noticed with the first two ballets he choreographed -Somnambulism in 1953 and Laiderette in 1954. Although, just starting out Macmillan's choreography showed distinctive accomplishment and as early as 1955 he was creating works for Sadler's Wells, second only to legendary choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton.
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.
In 1965 Macmillan achieved great success with his first full-length work, Romeo and Juliet. Performed in three acts, the ballet is considered to be one of his best-loved pieces and shortly after choreographing Romeo and Juliet Macmillan was made the resident choreographer for The Royal Ballet. After a fall out with The Royal Ballet in 1966 over his work Song of the Earth, Macmillan left to work as director of the Deutsche Oper in Berlin where he stayed from 1966-69.
Macmillan returned to the Royal Ballet as director in 1970 succeeding Sir Frederick Ashton where he continued to produce and choreograph another string of widely acclaimed ballets that include Anastasia in 1971, The Seven Deadly sins in 1973, Manon in 1974, Requiem in 1976, Isadora in 1981 and his final piece in 1992, just before his death, The Judas Tree. He resigned as director of the Royal Ballet in 1977 however but continued to work as their resident choreographer - the role he preferred and felt more comfortable with.
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.
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