Unlock the Secrets of Ventriloquism with Edgar Bergen

Edgar Bergen, a legendary figure in stage, radio, and screen entertainment, captivated audiences for over fifty years alongside his witty wooden companion, Charlie McCarthy. In his book, How to Become a Ventriloquist, Bergen reveals the techniques that contributed to his enduring success. This 130-page guide is a treasure trove for modern variety performers looking to enhance their acts.

The book covers both “near” ventriloquism, which involves puppets, hand shadows, and other on-stage characters, and “distant” ventriloquism, where a solo artist appears to engage with off-stage voices. Bergen provides detailed exercises and insights into articulation, empowering readers to master the art of voice projection.

Additionally, Bergen shares instructions for creating a doll-style puppet and explores simpler alternatives, inspired by Jay Marshall’s beloved “Lefty,” shadowgraphs, and card puppets. The book includes sample dialogues that will intrigue both historians and performers.

To wrap up, Bergen offers valuable tips on distant ventriloquism and demonstrates how to blend this technique with on-stage puppetry, complete with engaging dialogues that promise to elicit laughter from audiences of all ages.