The Great Lester facts for kids
Harry Lester (born Maryan Czajkowski in Poland on September 8, 1878, and passed away on July 14, 1956) was a very famous ventriloquist. He was best known by his stage name, The Great Lester. A ventriloquist is someone who can make their voice seem to come from somewhere else, like a puppet or dummy, without moving their own lips. Lester was a pioneer in this art, especially in vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with many different acts.
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The Art of Ventriloquism
Harry Lester was often called the "Grandfather of Modern-Day Ventriloquism." He had a special dummy named Frank Byron Jr. Lester said he carved Frank Byron Jr. himself when he was young. However, others believe the dummy came from a workshop in Chicago called Theo Mack & Son.
Lester's Amazing Tricks
Lester was known for several clever tricks during his performances. He claimed to be the first ventriloquist who could drink water while his dummy spoke. This made it seem like the dummy was truly alive and talking on its own.
One of Lester's most famous acts involved pretending to call Heaven and Hell. He would search for his sister using his dummy's voice. He was also the first ventriloquist to walk among the audience while his dummy whistled. This made his act very interactive and exciting for the crowd.
Teaching Others
Lester was not only a great performer but also a noted teacher. He helped many people learn the art of ventriloquism. He created a detailed program with exercises for breathing and speaking clearly. Students would often record their lessons with Lester. Because of this, we can still hear examples of his teaching today.
A Famous Student
One of The Great Lester's most famous students was Edgar Bergen. Edgar Bergen became one of the most well-known ventriloquists of all time. He performed with his dummy, Charlie McCarthy, and was a huge star. Lester's teaching helped shape Bergen's successful career.
Where is Frank Byron Jr. Now?
Lester's main dummy, Frank Byron Jr., is now kept at the Vent Haven Museum. This museum is located in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. It is a special place that collects and preserves ventriloquist figures and memorabilia.
