Marionette

Title:

Bess

Object Name:

Marionette

Object ID:

2004.022.02

Creator:

New England Marionette OperaCraftsperson

Place of Origin:

Peterborough, NH

Date:

1992-1998

Description:

Marionette, Bess, from the opera "Porgy and Bess," performed at the New England Marionette Opera in Peterborough, NH, 1992-1998. Cast neoprene figure of African-American woman. Painted dark brown with painted black hair, brown eyes, red lips, and purple shoes. Movable joints at neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, knees, and ankles. Dressed in red dress, black net scarf, black stockings, and black slip. Red garter on right knee. Pink fabric flower in hair. Purple fabric flower at waist. Green felt on soles of shoes. Jeweled necklace and earrings. Ring in lower lip. Jeweled bracelet on right wrist. New black strings attached to body, but no control bar.

Material:

Neoprene
Textile

Dimensions:

H-21 W-8 D-4 inches

Provenance:

Used in the opera "Porgy and Bess" at the New England Marionette Opera in Peterborough, NH, 1992-1998. Edward R. (Ted) Leach was the founder and director of the opera company. The theater burned on January 1, 1999, destroying almost all of the marionettes and sets. Only two marionettes survived unscathed. This is one of eight marionettes that were rehabilitated for donation to NHHS. Sculpted by Pamela Stevens. Recostumed by Marilyn Weir.

Credit Line:

Gift of Edward R. and Beverly D. Leach

People:

Heyward, DuBose (1885-1940)

Subjects:

Marionettes, Operas & operettas, Opera houses, Theatrical productions, African Americans, Black Americans