History of Puppetry
in Canada

Violet and David Keogh

Violet Keogh began puppetry in 1925 and, with husband David Keogh, created Kay Marionettes (1928-1936): the largest and most professional puppet company in Canada at the time. Violet built and costumed the puppets, David provided technical expertise, and they shared manipulation. In 1933, Muriel Heddle joined the company and, in 1936, went into partnership with the Keoghs to create Kay-Heddle Marionettes (1936-1939). In 1940, in partnership with Mark Saunders, the Keoghs formed Canadian Puppet Ballesque and toured in Canada and the United States. The company was disbanded during the Second Wrold War, and in 1950 the Keoghs again began performing with their company Canadian Puppeteers.

Adapted from Figuratively Speaking : Puppetry in Ontario by Ken McKay, copyright 1990. Courtesy of the Ontario Puppetry Association and Ken McKay.