Book Review by Kay: The Marionette Actor

As part of the assignments for our marionette module, we are reviewing books that would be useful for marionette students. Here is my first review:

Name of Book: “The Marionette Actor” (1987)
Author: Ralph Chessé

The book in a nutshell: A memoir of a puppeteer in America (mostly anecdotal). Good for seeing someone’s artistic process in detail (making and operating). Has some reflections on the theory of the marionette, linking in influences from Gordon Craig. Short and easy to read.

What is it about?
This book is a memoir of Chessé’s work as a marionettist, spanning almost 60 years. It is a sort of anecdotal process diary, with detailed descriptions of his productions. The main production he focuses on is Hamlet, where he describes how he made the puppets, tips and tricks for the stage and setting, as well as a general reflection on his artistic processes.

How is it useful for puppeteers?
This book would be useful for puppeteers interested in seeing an in-depth look of an artist’s practice. You can see how Chessé develops a show, and more importantly, the reasons behind why he makes/operates puppets a certain way. You can also see his research process and how he integrates dramatic theories as well as his own philosophy. The book also includes some photographs of his marionettes as well as sketches of the basic structural form used for all Chessé marionettes.

About Chessé
Chessé was very much influenced by the work of the English modernist theatre practitioner, Gordon Craig. Craig intended to make an instrument of theatre, a surrogate which would serve the puppeteer’s purpose as an actor. As the title infers, Chessé believes that to be a good puppeteer, one must also be a good actor (and vice versa).

Some interesting ideas
* Quote from Alexander Hevesi: “The Marionette is more than natural; it has a style – that is to say, unity of expression. Therefore, the marionette theatre is the true theatre.”
* The importance of the audience: A lot of what makes a character come alive is in the audience’s imagination
* Avoid the naturalistic – the artist/puppeteer must choose something that will ‘fire’ the audience’s imagination

So that's my review. Just as an extra bit of interest, here is an extended quote from the last pages of the book, with Chessé’s final reflection on the marionette:

“It seems…that the marionette, born into a human world of chaos, struggle and conflict, a world inflicted with a flesh and blood supreme superiority that breeds intolerance and hatred, and battles vainly against a mortality as inevitable as the rising and setting of the sun, continues to emerge serene and unperturbed by all that transpires around him. He is Man’s soul and Man’s conscience. He proclaims Man’s virtues and attacks Man’s vices yet remains free from contamination. He plays at war without spilling a drop of blood; he beheads his enemies without causing them discomfort; he preaches and moralises in a transgressive world and suffers little more than the penalty of being silenced for his crime.

If he is cast out of the theatre, he takes up his stand on the nearest street corner. If the law forces him to move on, he takes to the open road. If he loses prestige, he manages to retain that which is more important: his freedom and in the face of the most harrowing experiences, he always retains his sense of humour. He is endowed with Man’s immortal soul – a free, uncompromising, self-justifying, imperishable soul embodied in a block of wood, moved by strings, and set in motion by the will of Man.”