Marionettes

This special edition hardcover of the Marionettes includes exclusive bonus material you can't find anywhere else! A betrayal. A deadly secret. An unlikely ally. Valerie Darkmore's entire life has been building up to this moment-her initiation into the Marionettes, the prestigious league of witches sworn to serve the vampires. As one of the last remaining blood witches, her spot is almost guaranteed. At least, so she'd thought. The academy is full of sabotage and secrets as the tasks begin, and Valerie quickly realizes she has more than her spot on the line. Her survival seems just as uncertain. The closer she gets to the final trial, the more she learns everything-and everyone-around her isn't quite what it seems. Some of the bonus material you can expect: a letter from the author, an exclusive scene from Reid's point of view, scenes annotated by the author (some from the rough draft!), character art, and more!

DIVHow to construct and manipulate puppets, build little theaters, set up and furnish a stage, light scenes, and more. Over 200 illustrations. /div

In this fascinating and colorful book, researcher and performer John McCormick focuses on the marionette world of Victorian Britain between its heyday after 1860 and its waning years from 1895 to 1914. Situating the rich and diverse puppet theatre in the context of entertainment culture, he explores both the aesthetics of these dancing dolls and their sociocultural significance in their life and time. The history of marionette performances is interwoven with live-actor performances and with the entire gamut of annual fairs, portable and permanent theatres, music halls, magic lantern shows, waxworks, panoramas, and sideshows. McCormick has drawn upon advertisements in the Era, an entertainment paper, between the 1860s and World War I, and articles in the World’s Fair, a paper for showpeople, in the first fifty years of the twentieth century, as well as interviews with descendants of the marionette showpeople and close examinations of many of the surviving puppets. McCormick begins his study with an exploration of the Victorian marionette theatre in the context of other theatrical events of the day, with proprietors and puppeteers, and with the venues where they performed. He further examines the marionette’s position as an actor not quite human but imitating humans closely enough to be considered empathetic; the ways that physical attributes were created with wood, paint, and cloth; and the dramas and melodramas that the dolls performed. A discussion of the trick figures and specialized acts that each company possessed, as well as an exploration of the theatre’s staging, lighting, and costuming, follows in later chapters. McCormick concludes with a description of the last days of marionette theatre in the wake of changing audience expectations and the increasing popularity of moving pictures. This highly enjoyable and readable study, often illuminated by intriguing anecdotes such as that of the Armenian photographer who fell in love with and abducted the Holden company’s Cinderella marionette in 1881, will appeal to everyone fascinated by the magic of nineteenth-century theatre, many of whom will discover how much the marionette could contribute to that magic.

Making and Manipulating Marionettes is a superb guide to a craft and performance art that has fascinated audiences for over 2,000 years. Handsomely illustrated throughout, it presents precise instructions for the making of marionettes, both for plays and for acts in the variety tradition. All aspects of marionette design, construction, and control are covered, and there are rare insights into specialized designs and stringing techniques. Contents include an introduction to the marionette tradition and the principles and practicalities of marionette design; advice on materials and methods for carving, modeling, and casting puppet parts; detailed explanations for marionette control, stringing, and manipulation; step-by-step instructions for the construction and jointing of human and animal marionettes; and professional secrets for achieving a wide range of special effects.

More than 400 illustrations supplement easy-to-follow directions for making puppet heads and bodies, stringing marionettes on one- and two-hand controls, operating the puppets, and putting on your own show.

This vintage book contains an fantastic treatise on puppets and marionettes of the world, looking at the history of puppets and puppet shows enjoyed in Europe, England, America and many other countries. With authentic photographs and a wealth of fascinating information from ancient puppets to instructions for construction, this volume will be of considerable utility to both puppeteers and historians alike. Contents include: "Puppets of Antiquity", "Oriental Puppets", "Puppets of Italy and Southern Europe", "Puppet Shows of Germany", "Puppetry in England", "Marionettes in America", "Toy Theatres and Puppet Plays for Children", "A plea for Polichinelle", "Behind the Scenes", and "Construction of the Marionette Stage". Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on puppets and marionettes.

This vintage book is a fascinating and detailed study on the history of masks and marionettes, with information on early development, popularity and influence throughout the ages, notable practitioners, and much more. “Masks And Marionettes” constitutes a fantastic exploration of context and culture surrounding its subject, and will be of considerable utility to those with an interest in the history of Commedia dell'arte. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on puppets and marionettes.

The origin and development of the marionette theater, emphasizing its growth in a region where it still flourishes as a popular form of entertainment.