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.
Debilitating stage fright kept MacMillan from the success he deserved as a dancer but in working as a choreographer he found a niche for his talents. The first two pieces he choreographed immediately stood out as being innovative and got him noticed these were 1953's Somnambulism and Laiderette performed the following year. By 1955 MacMillan had been well and truly spotted and was choreographing pieces for the Sadler's Wells Ballet working under the legendary Sir Frederick Ashton.
MacMillan went on to choreograph several short works for Sadler's Wells Ballet that were well received and gained him much respect. These included The Burrow (1958), The Invitation (1960), The Rite of Spring (1962) to name just a few. He was made the resident choreographer for Sadler's Wells in 1965.
The year 1965 saw MacMillan's 'tour de force' Romeo and Juliet performed. His choreography for this piece was received exceptionally favorably and has become one his most loved and remembered pieces of work. As mentioned previously MacMillan was also made the resident choreographer of The Royal Ballet in 1965 however he fell out with Sadler's Wells the following year and left to work in Berlin at the Deutsche Oper, staying there for 3 years.
MacMillan came back to The Royal Ballet as their director in 1970 - during his time here he choreographed many notable works includeing Anastasia 1971, The Seven Deadly Sins 1973, Requiem 1976, Mayerling 1978 and Isadora 1981. He worked as Director for 7 years until 1977 when he resigned but continued to choreograph for The Royal Ballet reverting back to role he always felt the most comfortable in.
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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Kenneth Macmillan is a ballet dancer and a choreographer that was able to make his way in Britain. He is of British nationality and when he was very young he studied under the grea
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Article: Kenneth Macmillan - Facts & Information Author: Mark Walters Publication Date: 2010-10-20 Total Views: 172 Word Count: 434 Category:Home /
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