Photograph of Ralph Morse (actor).
Ralph Morse (actor)
As King Lear (Theatre Associates Best Actor 1980)

Overview

Dr Ralph Morse, (born June 1 1955) is an English actor, singer, teacher, epistemologist, guitarist and writer of historically-based dramas.  He is also a notable pagan

Biography

Born in Colchester, Essex, England, and raised in the village of Earls Colne, some eleven miles away. An only child, his interest in theatre emanated from the marionette shows he staged whilst at Earls Colne primary and Halstead secondary schools. At the age of 15, Morse gave his first professional performance, as a comedian, at Halstead Working Man's Club[1].  After completing his A Levels at North East Essex Technical College and School of Art, where he was president of the students' union, Morse gained a place at the prestigious Rose Bruford College.



Early Career

After graduating in 1977 Morse worked as an actor, singer and teacher, initially with the London based theatre in education company "Cue Theatre" before moving into regional theatre[2].  He was the artistic director of "Causes Theatre Company" from 1979-1981 playing the title role in Shakespeare's King Lear at the age of twenty-five. It was the contrasting roles of Lear and Billy Fisher in "Billy Liar", performed in repertoire, that earned Morse the Theatre Associates Best Actor award in 1980. Morse also appeared as Bogart in Woody Allen's "Play it Again, Sam"; Brutus in "Julius Caesar", Pozzo in "Waiting for Godot"; Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and, Malvalio in "Twelfth Night"[3].  During the same period he worked as an actor and writer on staff training films for the major high street banks, airlines and house builders[4].  Morse also played various roles in the hundred hour marathon reading of the works of William Shakespeare televsied on the BBC's "Nationwide" as part of the lauch of St. Lawrence's Theatre, Brentford, England[5].

He has appeared on the West End stage as Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar[6] and on television in Shoestring, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and a number of dramas in the BBC Play for Today series. Film roles include Blazer in Sitting Ducks, The Bloomsbury Beau in Riding High, Writer in The Ghost Writer, the coroner in La Casa 3(Ghosthouse) and even an appearances as an imperial stormtrooper in both The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi[7].

Educational Practitioner

From 1989-2003 Morse worked exclusively as a practitioner in educational drama for local authorities, schools and theatre groups in the Essex and Suffolk area. He has adapted popular works for the stage[8], has written and directed local community based projects[9], and most notably he is the author of several dramas targeted at the GCSE and AS/A2 theatre student including a group of plays collectively known as "The Four Seasons Of Wounded Knee"[10] and first performed at Shenfield High School in Essex in November 1996. During the early 1990's Morse was a broadcaster on Colchester Hospital Radio and his Sunday morning request programme formed part of a BBC educational documentary[11]. Having undertaken his own training with and worked alongside the leading practitioners in voice and performance Morse also ran successful vocal workshops for teaching staff throughout the Essex and Suffolk Areas[12].

First National Youth Manager for the Pagan Federation

In 1999 while undertaking his doctorial studies, Morse became the first national youth manager for the Pagan Federation of the United Kingdom an appointment that was seen as highly controversial in certain quarters and atttracted much media interest[13]. Following an interview on the BBC Radio 4 Sunday programme in March 2000, he was approached by the Independent on Sunday and an article appeared in that publication on 2nd April. He was summarily suspended from his post as Head of Drama, Theatre Arts and Media studies at Shenfield High School in Essex due to his association with the Pagan Federation[14]. This resulted in Morse becoming a cause celebre[15]. Following a full internal investigation by the school he was reinstated and a statement of support issued by the school and released to the media[16]. Since gaining his PhD (dissertation jurie dignitatis)[17] Morse has spoken at various seminars and to educational establishments and contributed to the radio, film and television media on the relationship between religion, ritual and theatre in the ancient world[18]. Although understandably reticent to discuss his own involvement in the pagan movement, Morse continues to generate interest in the wider academic community[19][20].  The key issue raised in these discussions is how without any evidence against him Morse's association with the Pagan Federation alone was seen as sufficient grounds to deprive him of his livelihood and career[21].  Morse is in fact not a wiccan as often described but an Apollonian-Dionysian priest of the Hellenic tradition[22]. In November 2001, Morse was wrongfully accused of assault by a student at the school. Despite the charge against him being dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, Shenfield High School proceeded to dismiss Morse in what is seen as further evidence of religious prejudice[23].  Morse's conduct was fully investigated by the then Department for Education and Skills who found it, "not possible to conclude that the allegations can be regard as substantiated."  Furthermore no action whatsoever was taken to bar or restrict Morse from teaching[24].  This statement is at some variance with the later press release from Essex County Council that concludes the decision has no bearing on the case, but "is purely confirmation that the allegations were not considered serious enough by the Secretary of State for Eduaction to bar him from teaching"[25].

Musical Incarnations

Although probably best known to older audiences in Southern England through his performances as country and western tribute artist Johnny Cashbox Morse has played music publicly since the mid-seventies.http://www.Ralphmorse.com/Johnny_Cashbox.html

Throughout his career Morse has worked as a singer and musician. From 1977-1979 was vocalist with Cause For Alarm, a punk rock band that toured with The Vibrators. His time with the band helped to inform Morse's first full-length drama, Roger (A Busker) written in 1979 and part of the repertoire of the Causes Theatre Company during the 1979-80 and 1980-81 seasons. From 1982-1984 he was principal songwriter and singer with The Delegation, a south London Blues and Folk Rock trio, best known for the Oedipal "Journeyman" featuring lyrics written by Morse while undertaking his A Levels.  In "Starfighters Hit Zero", another Morse original, the protagonist of the song is unsure whether he is fighting for survival in an imaginery or real world[26].  Morse was inspired to compose the song after appearing as an imperial stormtrooper in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi instalments of the original Star Wars trilogy.  Although relatively short lived, The Delegation were a "highly engaging and original band that produced an intriguing body of work"[27]. Between 1984 and 2003 Morse performed original pagan material variously as a solo artist (Apollo-Dionysus), part of a duo (Polarity) or as band member (The Coven Club) . Of  of these incarnations, "The Coven Club" took it's name from an article on Morse that appeared in an educational journal[28]. From 2003, when he became actively involved with country music, Morse has performed both as "Outlaw" and "Johnny Cashbox, occasionally under both guises at the same venue[29].

Who Is Leonard Jones?

From 2003 Morse has been actively involved as a performer and writer within the retired community and following negotiations with various agencies and interest groups has written a one-man comedy, with incidental songs by Johnny Cashbox, entitled "Who is Leonard Jones?" Produced in association with Age Concern, Colchester the work uses the comic form to address a number of issues that impact on that generation. The drama is set in two periods of recent history. The first, set in 1997, when he is 75 years of age, explores loss and loneliness. The second, set in 2007, paints a postive image of an elderly man who proves he still make a difference by becoming a public rights champion. Morse explains,

"I want to create an accessible piece of theatre that will address some serious issues but in an entertaining and engaging manner. Leonard Jones has a number of obstacles to overcome but he does so with courage, determination and great humour[30]"

"Who Is Leonard Jones?" employs sparse staging in order that the production can transfer easily to clubs, day centres, schools and other venues with little or no technical equipment[31]. The play premiered at the Headgate Theatre, Colchester on 16th November 2007[32][33].

http://www.Ralphmorse.com/Who_Is_Leonard_Jones.html

In the fall of 2008 Morse completed redrafting the play for recording as an audio CD/radio broadcast[34].  Morse's skills are now almost entirely dedicated to the charity, retired and voluntary sectors and he is currently researching a project on dementia[35].  A draft of the resulting work, provisionally entitled "Echoes Beyond The Door" is expected by July/Agust 2010 with a premiere around the middle of 2011



Sources and references

1 Essex County Standard 14th September 1970, Page 3 article entitled "The singing and laughing paperboy"

2 "Cue Theatre" schools programme and tour guide 1977.  Morse registered as supply teacher for the London Borough of Bexley, September 1977

3 "Causes Theatre Company" programmes and press releases to South East London/Kent media covering the 1979-80 and 1980-81 seasons.

4 Shooting Script, production notes and VHS recordings of "Face to Face Communications Skills" and "Further Banking Skills" for the Lloyds Bank 1979/80

5 BBC Television News and Arts programme "Nationwide" June 1979
6The Palace Theatre, London, official programme

7 Ralph Morse at the Internet Movie Database (IMDB)

8 "The Waiting Game" based on "Waiting For Godot" by Samuel Beckett entered in the Lloyds Bank Theatre Challenge 1991

9 Writer and Director of sequences for "The Brentwood Spectacular (1996), street theatre for local road safety organisations, festivals and youth projects (1989-2003)

10 The fully annotated texts of "The Ghost Dance", "Malleus Maleficarum", "The Bridging Zone", "Links" and VHS Video Recording by All Media Works (1996)

11 "Introduction to Hospital Radio" produced as part of BBC Schools Media project (1991)

12 Clear Speech by Malcolm Morrison (ISBN 97807136579); Art of Acting by Jean Norman Benedetti (ISBN 0413773361); The English Theatre (Rose Bruford) by Simon Trussell (ISBN 0521794307)

13 The Times Educational Supplement article entitled "The Coven Club" April 2000

14 Independent on Sunday articles dated 2nd and 9th April 2000 and The Foundation for Religious Freedom article responding comment

15 Tales out of school article from Find Articles (web resource), Pagan Federation response published in the letters page of the Independent on Sunday dated 9th April 2000
16 CNS News Coverage (Foreign Bureaus)

17 Dissertation papers "The Relationship Between Religion, Theatre and Ritual BCE" and "The Homeric Tradition"

18 Annual Conference of The Pagan Federation; Leaping Hare, Colchester; The Oxford Egyptian Society; Conway Halls, London; Essex Pagan groups; The Pagan Dawn; BBC Radio Essex; BBC Radio 4; BBC Radio Suffolk; Three Counties Radio; Channel 4; The Independent On Sunday; The Times Educational Supplement; Anglia Television; National Geographic Channel; Lion Television; Metrolink Film Productions

19 Article by Nick Morrison entitled "Off duty but not off limits" published in The Times Educational Magazine 13th February, 2009.

20 Discussion on Morse appears in New Religious Movements in the 21st Century by Phillip Charles Lucas, Phillip Lucus and Thomas Robbins (2004) (ISBN: 0415965764)

21 Further discussion on Morse raised in Modern Paganism in World Cultures: Comparative Perspectives, edited by Michael F. Strmiska (2005) (ISBN: 1851096086)

22 Youth Manager address at the annual Pagan Conference at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon 1999

23 Banner article, East Anglian Daily Times, Saturday, September 7, 2002

24 Department for Education and Skills statement dated 11th March, 2005

25 Statement by Eleri Roberts, Press Officer for Essex County Council dated 8th April 2005

26 Volumes of Ralph G. Morse original songbooks covering material written for "Cause For Alarm", "Roger (A Busker)", and "The Delegation" (1972-1989)

27 Quote taken from "The Delegation - In View"  - Studio 7 Video - 29/07/1984

28 English Times Educational Supplement - "The Coven Club" (2000)

Does not name Morse directly and describes him as a geography teacher but by designation he is the subject of the article

29 Volumes of original Ralph G. Morse songs (including material written for "Howling Mad Morse", "Chaos '64", "Apollo-Dionysus", "The Coven Club" and "Polarity" (1989-2000), "Outlaw" and "Johnny Cashbox" (2003 to date)

30 Interview with journalist Robert Williams on 22nd June 2007 and quoted in press releases to local media in Essex, England

31 Annotated script of "Who Is Leonard Jones?" by Ralph G. Morse (c) 2007; Age Concern play press release; demos of original production songs recorded by Johnny Cashbox, September 2007

32 Headgate Theatre Website, Colchester Gazette and Essex Newspapers articles November 2007, official programme and production notes published by Age Concern, Colchester, 16th November 2007

33 Robert Williams Interview with Ralph Morse held in the grounds of Colchester Castle 22nd June 2007

34 Ralph Morse's 4th and 5th Revison notes for "Who Is Leonard Jones?" January 2008

35 www.Ralphmorse.com/Echoes.html

Who is Ralph Morse (actor) connected to?
Add a Connection
It was "Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee" taken from Buffy Sainte-Marie's album, "Coincidences and other likely Stories" that brought Ralph to Dee Brown's "Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee" that would ultimately lead to his own series of plays "The Four Seasons of Wounded Knee"
Ralph Morse  was first officially interviewed by "Androiche" when the actor was presented with the best actor award (1980) by London Theatre Associates, and the journalist was covering the event.  Prior to this, they two had briefly met when Cause For Alarm, Morse's band at the time were supporting The Vibrators on tour.

The other connection says:

Although probably best known to audiences in Southern England through his performances as country and western tribute artist Johnny Cashbox Morse has played music publicly since the mid-seventies.http://www.Ralphmorse.com/Johnny_Cashbox.html...

This biography says:

...He has adapted popular works for the stage[8], has written and directed local community based projects[9], and most notably he is the author of several dramas targeted at the GCSE and AS/A2 theatre student including a group of plays collectively known as "The Four Seasons Of Wounded Knee"[10] and first performed at Shenfield High School in Essex in November 1996. During the early 1990's Morse was a broadcaster on Colchester Hospital Radio and his Sunday morning request programme formed part of a BBC educational documentary[11]...

This biography says:

...His time with the band helped to inform Morse's first full-length drama, Roger (A Busker) written in 1979 and part of the repertoire of the Causes Theatre Company during the 1979-80 and 1980-81 seasons. From 1982-1984 he was principal songwriter and singer with The Delegation, a south London Blues and Folk Rock trio, best known for the Oedipal "Journeyman" featuring lyrics written by Morse while undertaking his A Levels.  In "Starfighters Hit Zero", another Morse original, the protagonist of the song is unsure whether he is fighting for survival in an imaginery or real world[26].  Morse was inspired to compose the song after appearing as an imperial stormtrooper in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi instalments of the original Star Wars trilogy.  Although relatively short lived, The Delegation were a "highly engaging and original band that produced an intriguing body of work"[27]...
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