From the Greek Mimes to Marcel Marceau and Beyond - by Annette Bercut Lust (Paperback)

About the Book

One of the few studies covering the historical flow of mime from its beginnings to postmodern movement theatre, this book explores the evolution of mime and pantomime from the Greeks to the 20th Century, depicting the role of mime in dance, clowning, the cinema, and verbal the...

Book Synopsis

One of the few studies covering the historical flow of mime from its beginnings to postmodern movement theatre, this book explores the evolution of mime and pantomime from the Greeks to the 20th Century, depicting the role of mime in dance, clowning, the cinema, and verbal theatre throughout the centuries. With over sixty illustrations, this worldwide study is indispensable for the student, teacher, or fan of mime.

Review Quotes

...the book offers encyclopedic coverage of most of the leading lights of movement theatre in the Western hemisphere since 1950. There are very useful appendices, listing schools and curricula for movement training; archives, resource centers and performer directories; periodicals; library and museum collections; and festivals. The annotated bibliography is copious...There are plenty of well-reproduced and expressive illustrations.

Beginning with a fascinating history of mime and pantomime from antiquity down to our day, Annette Lust carefully documents how different writers, critics, and mimes distinguish these two different arts in varying and contrasting ways. Her work responds to the call of mime and movement theatre organizations in Europe and in America to establish archives and information services for new findings in the art of mime, more documented research, and descriptions of new styles of mime art.

Fascinating for both the lay person as well as the scholar...Dr. Lust's work is so detailed and comprehensive that I cannot list all of the outstanding women artists and their contributions that the author cites. I strongly recommend this book...

Lust documents for both the mime theatergoer and for the serious student the critical turning points in the evolution of mime in a highly understandable way that makes her book an ideal companion to all who are interested in learning about this entertaining art form.

Lust...has produced a comprehensive history of mime and a rich analysis of its current state...Thanks to Lust's involvement in international mime festivals, she can present detailed accounts of the diverse work currently being done. The volume includes ...an excellent bibliography. Recommended for all theatre collections.

Of the books in the field of mime and movement theatre during the last half of the twentieth century..this work is unique...Through her love and devotion to mime and movement theatre..Annette Lust endows this book with her integrity...a much needed historical survey as well as a detailed and reflective statement-of-the-art report.

About the Author

Annette Bercut Lust is professor emerita at Dominican College where she teaches courses in beginning mime, theatre production, dramatic literature, and French language and literature. For her teaching and publication on the French School of Mime, she received the Palmes Académiques from the French government in 1973. An active producer and director, Lust produces the annual Bay Area Original One-Act Play and Solo Festival at Dominican College.