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“I find ‘Apostles of Silence‘ indispensable when I am trying to describe (which surprisingly is pretty often) the different schools of movement (mime) that influence my own work and that of many of the great directors and actors of our time. Clearly written and a brilliant tool for comparison of these distinct approaches.”
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Go here to purchase this ‘out of print’ book.
I found some more books in storage last week. I think they might be of interest to anyone in eccentric performing arts.
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The Great Clowns of American Television
By Karin Adir
Here is a promo piece about this wonderful book.
Available here in paperback
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APOSTLES OF SILENCE
I have 3 photographs in this book. One of Marcel Marceau performing in the street and 2 studio shots of Carlo Mazzone Clementi.
Published in 1985 by Fairleigh Dickinson university Press.
I worked with Mira on two other book projects over the years. A dedicated author and teacher.
Available here in hard cover.
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“Do see this company; it isn’t often you will get such a gift.” Village Voice
Photograph of AMT play ‘EVOLUTION’.
Photograph of AMT play “SLUDGE”.
Photographs of the American Mime Theatre company performing by Jim Moore
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I took classes with Paul J. Curtis for about 3 years. (late 1970’s) . He has been teaching and creating American Mime since 1952. During the time I studied at AMT we developed a great professional relationship and I became the resident photographer. I shot all the shows they performed and did some great studio shots during the time I was studying there as well as after I left the school as a student. Paul is an amazing teacher. He understands the human psyche and movement and how they work together in a unique mimetic process. He teaches actors to move and movers to act.
The company performs a wide variety of mime plays created and written by the American Mime Theatre Ensemble.
I quote from the company’s webpage:
American Mime is a unique performing art created by a particular balance of playwriting, acting, moving, pantomime, and theatrical equipment. It is entirely different from the pantomime of the French Schools and the dance of the Eastern Mime disciplines.
American Mime is a complete theatre medium defined by its own aesthetic laws, terminology, techniques, script material and teaching methods. Basically, it is a medium for non-speaking actors who perform, in characterization, the symbolic activities of American Mime plays through movement that is both telling and beautiful.
The classes are still at the AMT studio on Fourth Avenue in NYC. every Wednesday night. You should call first if you want to audit a class. It is an amazingly rewarding experience.
For more information about the school and classes click here.
Today I had a chance to go thru my storage space and find some of my favorite theatre/variety books.
I want to post the covers here to show you what I was reading back then.
Published in 1974 by E.F. Dutton & Co. Great autobiography of Jean Louis Barrault.
Pictured on the cover in his costume for Le Enfant des Paradis. His performance was patterned after the great Jean-Gaspard Deburau.
Which leads me to the next book
The biography of Jean-Garpard Deburau by Tristan Remy with an preface by Jean Louis Barrault.
Of course the ‘father of modern mime’ was Etienne Decroux. This is his book!
Parole sur le Mime by Etienne Decroux – Published 1963 by Gallimard/Paris
One of the wonderful things about the 60’s and 70’s was the diverse attention paid to all the variety arts.
Here is another great read in it’s coverage of the history of Magic.
Panorama of Magic by Milbourne Christopher – Published by Dover 1963.
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To see how the theatre influenced New York during it’s development you can read Mary Henderson’s book.
The City and the Theatre by Mary Henderson – Published by James T. White & Co. 1973
A great journey through the history of New York City. A unique story of the New York playhouses and how they developed over a period embracing three centuries.
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I will post more at a later date when I have more time to go thru the large boxes still left to peruse.
