1970 – Kenneth MacMillan becomes director of The Royal Ballet

Frederick Ashton ceased being director of The Royal Ballet in 1970 under controversial circumstances. The new director, Kenneth MacMillan, was to have shared the job with John Field, but when it became apparent the two were not compatible, Field resigned. MacMillan remained director until 1977, creating numerous ballets, including the full-length Anastasia and Manon, and staging a new production of The Sleeping Beauty.