MAGIC STRINGS: Marionette Plays with Production Notes.

Bufano, Remo (1894-1948); Boris Artzybasheff, illustrator.

Published by Macmillan, 1939

First printing. Uncommon collection of plays for puppet shows by this prominent 20-century puppeteer (his second book). "Remo Bufano's bold, prolific imagination produced works that gave American puppetry a presence in the world of theatre for adults. In 1897, the Bufano family emigrated from Italy to the United States, and settled in the Greenwich Village section of New York. Inspired by a traditional Sicilian rod marionette pupi show, Remo created his own Orlando Furioso, which he presented in Italian in 1914. He went on to produce Pagliacci, The Doctor in Spite of Himself, Bluebeard, Hansel and Gretel, and Red Riding Hood. By 1918, Remo Bufano was a full participant in the community of theatre artists that included Eugene ONeill, and would soon transform theatre in the United States. In 1920, Bufano performed Wake Up Jonathan at the Provincetown Playhouse." He had a long list of innovative achievements - among them puppets "he created and operated in a production of Igor Stravinskys Oedipus Rex designed by the legendary Robert Edmund Jones. In 1934, with Grace Wilder, he became the director of government-funded WPA puppet shows in New York. Over 1,000 performances were given employing 47 workers. For the 1939 New York Worlds Fair (the same year this book was published) he created 10-foot marionettes for the spectacle, From Sorcery to Science, with music by Aaron Copeland, presented at the Hall of Pharmacy." (World Encyclopedia of Puppetry Arts). This book includes an author's note on marionette plays in general and 11 plays, including Aesop's Jungle, Two Goats and a Splash, Hansel and Gretel, and Seven at a Blow and others. Illustrated with drawings by Boris Artzybasheff. 182 pages. Very good in peach cover with black lettering and decoration on front cover - some wear to the corners, but a tight and clean copy. A blue sticker has been affixed to the copyright page noting that this book is only available at Hazelle's Marionettes in Kansas City. Seller Inventory # 89432

Bibliographic Details

Title: MAGIC STRINGS: Marionette Plays with ...
Publisher: Macmillan
Publication Date: 1939
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: VERY GOOD
Edition: 1st Edition