Puppetry, Clowning & Magic

Magic Up Your Sleeve
Helaine Becker
Bursting with original, straightforward magic tricks, Magic Up Your Sleeve spills the secrets on the science behind the trickery. With this book, you'll learn how to perform fun, step-by-step tricks with common household items. Softcover, 64 pp. $12.95.

Serious Play: Modern Clown Performance
Louise Peacock
This innovative book, focusing on contemporary practice in the USA and Europe over the past 50 years, investigates the nature and function of clown performance in modern society. Through analysis of clowning in a range of settings -- theatre, the circus, hospitals, refugee camps and churches -- Louise Peacock establishes a theoretical framework for the evaluation of physical comedy. Softcover, 183 pp. $36.00.

The Art of Clowning
Eli Simon
The Art of Clowning is the first book on clowning technique that offers a step-by-step process for actors and other theatrical enthusiasts to discover their inner clown. This fun and accessible guide expands on theories and exercises to help students and beginners develop solo and group performances. Using twenty years of teaching experience, Simon reveals a complete system of clowning that is a must-have for amateurs and experts alike. Softcover, 165 pp. $34.50.

The Art of Mime
Jeffrey W. Lynch
Not only is mime the oldest of the perfoming arts -- with international relevance in all styles of performances, from opera to Kabuki, from acting to modern dance -- but it is also the foundation for any serious study of movement for the performer. This DVD offers a superb introduction the art of mime, for viewers of all ages and levels of experience. DVD, $37.95.

Cirque du Soleil: The Ultimate Sticker Book
Dorling Kindersly
More than 60 fantastic full-colour stickers of all your favourite Cirque du Soleil characters. Choose stickers to create your own colourful and fun scenes--and the easy-peel stickers can be used more than once!! Softcover, 8 pp. $7.99.

Puppetry: A World History
Eileen Blumenthal
Puppets have existed in one form or another in nearly every culture throughout human history. In Puppetry: A World History, author Eileen Blumenthal offers a fascinating overview of puppetry, examining the unique nature and abilities of puppets and the countless roles they have played in societies across the globe. Lavishly illustrated with more than 350 images and written in a lively, accessible style, this stunning book is a celebration of the visual and performing arts, that will inspire, entertain, and illuminate. Hardcover, 271 pp. $75.00.

The Complete Book of Marionettes
Mabel Beaton & Les Beaton
This instructive and engaging guide, written by professionals with a passion for their art, provides everyone from beginners to veteran performers with all the information needed to create these beloved figures and the stages on which they perform. Enhanced with more than 200 sequenced photographs and diagrams, this comprehensive manual contains valuable advice for making heads, bodies, wigs, and puppet clothing. Furthermore, there are instructions for manipulating your marionette for performances. Softcover, 202 pp. $16.50.

Every Magic Secret in the World Revealed
Marc Lemezma
All of the thousands of magic tricks ever performed are based on one or a combination of only nine basic effects. In this fantastic book, Marc Lemezma reveals these tricks of the trade with the use of easy-to-understand text and clear step-by-step photographs. With the help of this book, and a little bit of practice, you'll be wowing your friends and family in no time. Softcover, 128 pp. $27.95.

Cirque du Soleil: 20 Years Under the Sun
Tony Babinski & Kristian Manchester
Published to coincide with the twentieth anniversary of Cirque du Soleil, this beguiling retrospective is told by the artists and performers themselves. Illustrated cover-to-cover, with over 300 photographs, this beautiful volume captures all of the magic that has made Cirque du Soleil an international phenomenon. Hardcover, Colour and B&W photographs, 352 pp. $75.00.

The Greek Myths: Puppet Plays for Children
Leon Katz
Using puppets and Story Theatre form, The Greek Myths tells many of the great stories - from the tale of Creation, to its interpretation of the Flood. Drawing upon some of the most fascinating and memorable characters, such as Zeus, Echo and Orpheus, this version of Ovid's epic poem, Metamorphoses is popular with young and adult audiences alike. Softcover, 158 pp. $12.95.

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Puppets and Puppet Theatre
David Currell
Essential reading for everyone interested in making and performing with puppets. It concentrates on designing. making and performing with the main types of puppet, and is extensively illustrated in full colour throught. Hardcover, 176 pp. $59.95.

Puppets, Masks, and Performing Objects
John Bell
This volume offers a wide range of perspectives on puppets, masks, and other performing objects. The topics include Stephen Kaplin's new theory of puppet theatre, a historical overview of mechanical and electrical performing objects, an account of the Bread and Puppet Theatre's Domestic Resurrection Circus, and interviews with director Julie Taymor and mask-maker Gustavo Boada. Softcover, 197 pp. $32.95.

Clown Skits for Everyone
by Happy Jack Feder
Over thirty easy-to-perform skits for one or two clowns, as well as additional information of making props, miming and talking, performance mechanics, and techniques for beginners. Each script details required props, as well as all the gestures that go along with the clown skit. Softcover, $20.95.

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Creative Clowning
by Bruce Fife, et al.
This a journey into the fun-filled world of clowns. Going beyond merely explaining how to perform the physical skills, the book teaches the reader how to use these skills creatively to become funny and entertaining. Drawing on the combined experience of eight professional entertainers, the book provides step-by-step instructions on everything from juggling, to creating and telling jokes, and even how to operate a home based clowning business. Softcover, $33.95.

Marionettes: How to Make and Work Them
by Helen Fling
This is a complete book of marionette craft -- from making heads and constructing bodies to stringing the marionettes on one- and two- handed controls, operating the marionettes and putting on shows of your own. The first section details the construction of the puppet heads out of plastic wood or papier mache, while the second sections tells how to make hands, feet, joints etc. The third section deals with marionette controls, while the final section covers the details of show production, from building a stage to sound effects. Softcover, $16.50.

The Complete Book of Puppetry
by George Latshaw
Following a brief retrospective of the fascinating ancient art of puppetry, the author offers a clear, abundantly illustrated suggestions for preparing for a performance, explains how to construct several types of puppets, and presents a series of exercises that promote the development of distinctive voices for characters and the translation of human body language into puppet movement. Readers will also find a wealth of advice on designing stages and puppet environments, writing and adapting plays, and directing productions. Large-format softcover, $15.95.


Clown Act Omnibus
by Wes McVicar
Includes sections on the basics of being a clown, and a description of clown equipment. There are skits for "Walk-On" or "Walk-Around" clowns; clown acts with simple equipment; acts with special equipment (generally referring to a more complex set); and clown acts for water shows. While this book has many ideas for the amateur clown, many of the acts require advanced or specialized skills. Softcover, $16.95.


Instant Puppets for Kids
by Lois Walker
Each puppet body in the book is made from a simple household throwaway -- from paper towel tubes and plastic bottles to paper bags and popsicle sticks. Walker suggests ways of decorating the puppets, and gives many helpful hints for making construction easier. $9.95.

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Last modified June 19, 2010.
Please note that all prices are in Canadian dollars. All prices are subject to change without notice.