Lucien Dalsace

Gustave Louis Chalot, born in Chatou (near Paris) in 1893, was destined by his father for a job in the silk industry. But Chalot senior had overlooked something important: one of Gustave's great-aunts, Marie Bilhaut, had been a renowned resident at the Comédie-Française while one of his great-uncles had been an opera singer. As a result of the presence of Thespis in the family genes it comes as no surprise that as of his high school years young Gustave organized theater performances with and for his schoolmates. After passing his final exams he obeyed his father and followed a training in the silk industry. At the same time he appeared incognito in several plays. When Gustave's dad became aware of what was happening he understood that his son's passion for the theater was too strong to be resisted. Now Gustave could at last tread the boards remorselessly. World War I interrupted this fledgling career though. Gustave was indeed drafted into the Third Battalion of Chasseurs where, despit