The Dwiggins Marionettes: A Complete Experimental Theatre in Miniature

by Dorothy Abbe

Sculptures in miniature (with the added dimension of motion), this book tells the entire story of William A. Dwiggins' marionettes, through B&W photos and 22 tipped-in color plates-- the stage sets, the mechanics and especially the marionettes. To finish, a fold-out shows many of the theatre's delightful "actors." WAD did indeed have the world by a string.

236 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Alexander Winzfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful tome, and a glimpse into a tiny, insular world. These small, regional theatres (puppetry or otherwise) are increasingly things of the past, to society's detriment. I am glad we have a few precious artifacts to help us to remember when there were still strange, hidden corners of eccentricity in this world.

[Kllrchrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book about eight years ago quite by chance in our local remaindered bookshop. Its a huge tome with quirky pasted in colour ilustrations and I love it!! Besides being an excellent read of a very interesting man (Dwiggins was a noted typographer ie font designer) its a privelige to be allowed into the world of his miniature theatre. The photography is excellent, both of Dwiggins and his friends, real and wooden.

I also feel that its a view into a world that is long gone, a sort of intellectual lifestyle that tv and digital crowds out, would never allow to germinate or develop.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_...