Ventriloquists' Dummies/Puppets/Muppets etc. etc. this is basically about comedy involving animating 'inanimate objects' that are made to fool us into thinking they're real... it can also allow one person to perform as a 'double act' - ideal for joke telling and creating comedy routines!

Anyone who works with 'dummies' and 'puppets' and suchlike, who feels that the work they do uses humour therapeutically (even if it's just about 'having a laugh' - plain and simple) and would like to see their efforts displayed here, then please contact me at: humourtherapist@hotmail.com

In the meantime - watch this space!

Neil.

Okay... here's the story.

I'd seen this programme on Channel 4 called "The Convention Crasher" (broadcast January 24th, 2008) where Justin Lee Collins had just four weeks to learn how to do ventriloquism and develop an 'act' then went the largest ventriloquist conference in the world in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky to perform live.

An excellent programme and I thought "Hmm... I reckon I could do that" - so off I ran to the mirror to practice saying the alphabet and doing various phrase without moving my lips (grief - there aren't enough hours in the day for me eh?).

Anyhow - next I needed a 'partner' to work with... so after scouring numerous sites on the internet, I came up with one that had this chappie on it - I'm already daddy to a 'real' Border Collie (Rosie) and therefore decided to get a Border 'puppet' - and thus, Wally was born.

Starting off as a monotonous-sounding semi Geordie... and then changing to a squeaky 'Lankysheer' accent (don't ask) - here's his vids for you to view - click each link and prepare to be underwhelmed!

Click on the links below to view my other "Wally" vids!

"Meet Wally The Collie" - Yep - here he is folks, trying to do some tongue twisters! Ignore the buffoon sat next to him... and try not to focus on his lips moving!

"Wally The Collie Interviews Gina The Cairn Terrorist!" - Yep - here he is being attacked in the line of duty - hope he got compensation for this!

"Wally The Collie Sings 'The Pheasant Plucker Song'" - Well, it seems that Wally can sing this, even if his human 'stooge' cannot!

"Tom Jones Disease" - Wally takes time out to sing before explaining about this bizarre medical condition...

"Ventriloquism" - Watch Wally try his hand (or should that be 'paw') at a 'Vent Act' - he's good, but the 'human puppet' could be a little more animated...

"Potatoes" - Here he is again folks... a new vid. maybe, but a VERY old joke...



Hope you enjoy the vids folks!

Here he is - my puppet chum (but don't call him a dummy - he's got a degree in Medieval History).

Hopefully you'll notce that the character developes as the videos progress... that's because his voice changes (hopefully for the better) and he interacts with me more.

Click on the links below to view my other "Sandhurst" vids.

"Meet Sandhurst - his very first video!

"Comments About Youtube..." - Here he is folks, everyone's favourite 'posh dog' with thoughts about the internet and other ramblings...

"Chewing Gum Capers - Here he is again folks, the posh dog gives his views on chewing gum - nasty habit or dental whatsname?

"Ventriloquism" - Yep... he's here again... his voice has changed a bit (he had a cold in his previous videos), but he's here to explain the 'A to Z' of ventriloquism... with references to Keith Harris & Orville and a wee song...

"Fetch" - Throw the ball... fetch the ball. What could be simpler... but will Sandhurst actually 'play ball' in the making of this video? 

Okay... so I'd started doing 'ventriloquism' stuff with two dog characters, "Wally The Collie" and "Sandhurst The Retriever".

All well and good for doggie fans - but what about catlovers everywhere?

Now I've always been a big fan of dogs and cats... and gerbils too (although I ain't seen a gerbil puppet) - so I thought that I'd get another 'act' up and running - so along came Frankie!

Different to the other two in that his voice is deeper than mine!

Click on the links below to view my other "Frankie" vids.

"Frankie Says..." - Relax folks, this is nothing too taxing... just Frankie Fishcake, the opinionated cat introducing himself to youtube. Find out what he has to say here.

"No Flies On Frankie" -
"What's that on the end of your nose?" asks Frankie... find out here!

"Who's Gary Oakie?" - tales of folk music... the Smiths... "This Charming Cat"... and refereces to Arthur Carrot? Intrigued? No? Have a look anyway!

"Where's The 'p'?" - A lack of sleep and some corny old jokes all contribute to this wee video presentation... try to stay awake when watching!

Meet Cody, a 12 year old ventriloquist from Vancouver, Canada.

And let's not forget to say "Hi" to his friends Charlie McCarthy, Theadore Burge and Flea!

Click Here To View Cody's Video!

A few words from Cody about his act:

"I've been doing ventriloquism since this Christmas and the person who influenced me was Jeff Dunham. I took up ventriloquism because I thought it would be fun and a great thing to get into."

You can see more of Cody's videos on youtube... access them at the link below:

Click Here To View

Well worth a look - a great ventriloquist, ecxellent character work (two pupets at the same time in some scenes), excellent character voices and some really funny comedy routines!

Ken  is now 80 years old and still performs live - I'm pleased to say that I've seen him perform twice (last time was February, 2008) and he's an excellent stand-up comedian and entertainer... but the best part of the show for me is when he comes on with his chum Dickie Mint.

If you like ventriloquism, especially of the kind that draws attention to the difficulty in pronouncing certain words then this is a real treat.

Here are a few examples:

Ken: "Your favourite racecourse is Aintree?"

Dickie: "And Uttoxeter".

Ken: "Uttoxeter - why?"

Dickie: "'cause I can't say 'Gengkton Gark'!" [Kempton Park]

Another classic:

Ken: "I'd like to hear you say 'Peter Piper Picked A Peck Of Pickled Peppers.'"

Dickie: "So would I!"

Ken: "Are you going to say 'Red Leather, Yellow Leather'?"

Dickie: "No!"

Have a look at the link below to see some if this excellent routine.

Here's my favourite place to buy puppet pals from - "Puppets For Education" - this is where I 'adopted' my chums Wally, Sandhurst & Frankie Fishcake!

Click Here To View

Great prices and the lady who runs it (Anne) is very helpful with any questions you might have, such as size of puppet/suitabilty for hand size, info. on ease of mouth movement etc. etc. - she very kindly answered all of my questions.

Take it from me - the quality of the products is excellent and your purchases are posted a.s.a.p. - as for the prices, well I checked around on the internet, and I reckon this site's the cheapest!

Anyhow, here's some info from the website itself:

Puppets for Education is our friendly family run business based in Newton-le-Willows, North West England. We aim to provide a pleasant shopping experience and pride ourselves on our personal customer service both before and after sales.

We have professional experience in both Nursing and Educational fields and recognise the significant and instrumental roles that puppets can create. Whether in education, therapy or play, puppets entertain and inspire us - they offer a truly magical, interactive experience. Puppetry is an age-old tradition here to stay - enjoyed by both children and adults alike. Our objective is to offer high quality affordable products, which we are sure you will be delighted with - Just as we are!

Enough said - an excellent site! 



Neil.

Here's the place to discuss all things puppet related - the 'Puppet.com' forum...

Click Here To View

A great forum - help and advice with all things 'puppet' related... for amateurs, professionals and anyone else who's interested in puppets, puppetry and ventriloquism.

Take a look.