Mime Book

by Claude Kipnis

The great French mime performer, Claude Kipnis, reveals the mechanisms and techniques of mime in an easy-to-understand translation. This theatre book is not a theoretical "art of" book, but a functional "how to" and "why to" instructional guide. Individual exercises are included together with detailed coverage of body movements, the illusion, and how to create a world. We know of no other book that so comprehensively explains how the functions of mime are achieved. Certainly a basic text for any aspiring mime.

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[April Thompson Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A copy of this book should be distributed to every duck-faced wearing teenager in hopes that they would/could be taught that there are other facial expressions other than the only one they seem to know how to use.

Seriously though, if you're in the market to become a mime, or like myself, just read this for shits and giggles, this book is knowledgeable of the art of miming which apparently is no small task to learn. This takes you through various parts of miming: The Body, The Illusion and Creating a World. If you're fortunate enough to have a highlighted copy from the library like I was able to score, it helps you scan through to the better parts of the book.

Happy miming *waves bye*

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're in the market for a guide to mime, The Mime Book by Claude Kipnis is a perfect choice. Featuring the talents of an old timey-mime, this book features isolation exercises, breathing techniques, historical accounts of many of the last century's greatest performers, and some break-downs of several great performances. Distract and stupify your friends and foes with newfound body-manipulation techniques, as you embrace an art as old as it is bizarre in this finely-crafted guidebook to the peculiar performance art.