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.

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.

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.