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Ventriloquism

Ventriloquism is an act of deception in which a person (ventriloquist) manipulates his or her voice so that it appears that the voice is coming from someone or more often, something else. The most familiar type of ventriloquist today is a nightclub performer sitting on a stool with a wooden dummy on his lap. This comedic style of ventriloquism, however, is a fairly recent innovation, less than 100 years old.

The roots of ventriloquism are ancient. Some claim that possessed people mentioned in the Bible were just ventriloquists, and the case has been made that diviners in many religions, including perhaps the Oracle of Delphi, were ventriloquists, or as they were once called, "Belly Talkers."

The version of ventriloquism with which most people are familiar, ventriloquism as entertainment, began in the days of Vaudeville in the late 19th century. The vaudeville acts did not concentrate on humor as much as on demonstrating the ventriloquist's ability to deceive the audience and his skill in switching voices. For this reason, many of the performers used multiple figures, switching quickly from one voice to another. Jules Vernon was one of the more famous American vaudeville ventriloquists who used multiple figures. Perhaps the most famous vaudeville ventriloquist, however, The Great Lester, used only one figure, Frank Byron, Jr, and it is the Great Lester's success which paved the way for the one ventriloquist with one figure routine which is so common today.

Ventriloquism was immensely popular in the middle of the 20th century, thanks in great part to the work of one of the Great Lester's students, Edgar Bergen. Bergen popularized the idea of the comedic ventriloquist, and together with his favorite figure, Charlie McCarthy, hosted a radio program that, in the 1930s and early 1940s, was the number one program on the night it aired. Bergen continued performing until his death in 1979, and his popularity inspired many other famous ventriloquists who followed him, including Paul Winchell, Jimmy Nelson, and Senor Wences.

See List of ventriloquists.
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Goodwin, Jan
Performing for corporations, schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations. Performances are personalized to meet the unique needs of the audience.
http://www.theventriloquist.com/

Shimer, Bob
Storyteller + ventriloquist = StoryVent. Find out all about this unique performer. Show and booking information, and photos.
http://www.storyvent.com/

Carlson, John
Magician and ventriloquist performing for birthday parties and schools.
http://www.magicshow.com/

Gareth Lush
South African artist comments and show dates.
http://www.geocities.com/gjlush/Homepage.html

Johnson, Kevin
Ventriloquist and comedian. Includes latest news, gallery, video and contact info.
http://www.laffalot.com/

Wade, Mark
KidShowVent - educational comedy and ventriloquism. Video clip, photos and online store.
http://www.kidshowvent.com

Markson, Sylvia
A comical variety show where anything and everything comes to life.
http://www.themagictrunk.com

Michaels, Pete
Comic/Ventriloquist/Vocalist known for his performances including The Sonny & Cher Re-union and the Tribute To Pavarotti.
http://www.petemichaels.com/

Carroll, Bob
Ventriloquist and comedy magician. Entertaining adult shows for banquets and private parties.
http://www.bobcarroll.com/

Padhye, Ramdas
Ventriloquist, Puppeteer & Puppet-Maker from India who has been performing for 35 years in India & abroad.
http://www.vpuppets.com

Lucas, Ronn
Unofficial fan site with photos, news, career information and links.
http://www.ronnlucas.org/

Leder, Joel
A versatile comic ventriloquist entertainer. See video clips, and his acting resume.
http://www.dummyproductions.com/

Taylor, Mason
Comedian, ventriloquist, musician, and entertainer.
http://www.taylormason.com/

Dunham, Jeff
Tour dates, fan club, and souvenir shop.
http://www.onastick.com/

Barber, Jim
Comedy performances.
http://www.jimbarber.com/

Johnson, Jay
Biography, booking information, and related links.
http://www.monkeyjoke.com/

Warren, Kenny
One of the preeminent ventriloquists and comedians in the New York City area.
http://www.stormloader.com/kennywarren/

Gandelman, Joe
Comic ventriloquist performing at comedy clubs, fairs/festivals, schools, and corporate events.
http://www.gandypro.com/

Stadelman, Paul
A webpage dedicated to the late, great ventriloquist, Paul Stadelman.
http://www.angelfire.com/ny3/stadelman/index.html

Eakins, Michael
Information for anyone wanting to learn about ventriloquism, magic and performing from one of America's busiest ventriloquists.
http://www.geocities.com/ventriloquist1/

Strassman, David
Creator of Puppetronics - Check the latest tour dates, meet Chuck Wood and Ted E. Bare, play games, download multimedia and buy merchandise.
http://www.chuckwood.com/

Russo, Louis
Providing professional ventriloquist comedy, and voice-overs.
http://www.russocomedy.com/

Willie Tyler & Lester [The Onion AV Club]
The Onion AV Club interviews ventriloquist Willie Tyler on his rocky relationship with Lester, his wisecracking dummy.
http://www.theavclub.com/avclub3302/bonusfeature3302.html

Holliday, Linda
Professional ventriloquist and magician specializing in fun filled family entertainment. Her high energy shows consist of comedy magic, ventriloquism, rabbits, music, and audience participation.
http://lindaholliday.com/

Hilario, Lou
Magician, ventriloquist, and bird show performer.
http://www.geocities.com/macawmagi/

Patrick and Matilda
About the duo, photo album, reviews, merchandise.
http://www.patrickandmatilda.com

Lucas, Ronn
Official site includes video clips, slide show of photos, biography, and reviews.
http://www.ronnlucas.com/

Mr. Puppet
Vaudeville show by comedian Bob Abdou as Mr. Puppet using a blend of comedy, marionettes, hand puppets, and ventriloquism.
http://www.mrpuppet.com

Dickens & Dave, Ventriloquial Associates
Personal web site of Dickens & Dave, about ventriloquism and related information and sites.
http://www.stormpages.com/whiggins/index.html

Rhodes, Carla
Multi-talented ventriloquist, comedian, musician, and artist.
http://www.CarlaRhodes.net/

Ventriloquists
Fields Entertainment Agency - Ventriloquists available to perform in New England area.
http://www.pages-yourfavorite.com/fieldsagency/ventriloquist.html

Lafong, Michele
Ventriloquist, puppeteer, impressionist, and stand up comedienne. Biography, resume, press reviews, photos, and contact.
http://michelelafong.com/

PJ and Friends Entertainment
Comedy magic ventriloquist stage shows. Contact information and links.
http://www.angelfire.com/pa4/pj/index.html

Capt Dan and Conrad Ventriloquist Show
Service and contact information. Serving New York, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.
http://www.stanwiest.com/ventriloquist.htm



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