Ralph Chesse Puppeteer: Marionettes 1928-1939

Bruce Chessé PO Box 15203 Portland OR 97293-5203 (503) 236-4034 Email		RALPH CHESSÉ PUPPET THEATER Marionettes 1928-1939
HOME Ralph Chessé Bruce Chessé PAINTINGS 1921-1950 New Orleans1919-1928 Asia 1931-1942 Biblical Series 1940-50 WPA Style Theater Series 1951-1959 Europe 1960 -1969 Paris Exhibition 1963 Moore Gallery 1967 Poster Period 1970-1981 1982-1991 left hand paintings Portraits SCULPTURE PUPPETS Marionettes 1928-1939 Marionettes 1940-1984 Brother Buzz 1952-1969 FAMILY HISTORY CHRONOLOGY		marionette heads, left to right Jascha Heifitz, Richard III, Mad Hatter, King Lear, Mikado When Ralph Chessé arrived in San Francisco he shared a studio with Blanding Sloan, an artist and puppeteer, who encouraged him realize his acting ambition though puppetry. In 1928 he created his first puppet production of Shakespeare's Hamlet followed by Eugene O'Neil's Emperor Jones. Here he was able to combine all his skills as an artist and and actor. Puppetry allowed him an even greater freedom because he could control all aspects of the art form. He found he could craft and design the puppets, the sets, the costumes as he envisioned them in his mind and he could play not one but many parts taking on any image he conceived for himself. He went on to create his own marionette theater in several different venues during the 30’s until getting appointed head of the Federal Theater's Marionette Project for the WPA. .............................
1956 & 1928 versions of Hamlet,		HAMLET ...
1938 Hamlet and Queen
Cast of Hamlet 1928 from left to right: Mervyn Leeds, Ding Arain, Josie Chessé (Ralph's wife), Leslie Rush, St Ben Greet, Ralph Chessé, and Vonnie Albin. Leslie, Ding and Vonnie were Ralph's sisters. Sir Ben Greet (1857-36) was a Shakespearean actor, director, and impresario. He saw the 1928 production of Hamlet and compared it favorably to productions using live actors.
One of the Ralph Chessé's first shows, in 1928, was Emperor Jones. He redisigned productions of many plays throughout his career, including Emperor Jones. The image above is from the 1928 production and to the right is one from a 1956 version of Emperor Jones.		EMPEROR JONES
1936 The Federal Theater was organized in San Francisco and Ralph was appointed Director of the puppetry unit. 17 people were hired, few with puppet or theatre experience. Their first project was James Stephen's The Crock of Gold, an Irish fantasy. This story was adapted by people on the project. He designed, directed and trained the company, which was ready to perform in less than 3 months. Leprechans Crock of Gold 1936		TH CROCK OF GOLD
Hansel & Gretel from left to right 1932 production 1937 WPA production		HANSEL & GRETEL ...
Mikado 1932		THE MIKADO
WPA Vaudeville Leopold Stqkowkski 1937		MARIONETTE VAUDEVILLE
WPA Vaudeville Diver & Mermaid 1937
WPA Vaudeville Circus 1937
Snow White 1938		SNOW WHITE
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