talkmagic.co.uk

Hello all!

This is my first time here at talk magic and I have a question for you all. I am looking to get into ventriloquism, but am having a hard time finding information. The main issue I am having is being unable to find ventriloquism classes or workshops in the London area. Does anyone know of any classes or workshops for a beginner ventriloquist in the London area? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much, cheers!

Kelly

Hi and welcome to TM! We have a few vents who visit here often, perhaps you could start by looking at http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic6052.php&highlight=, then anything else involving those members and you'll have a lot of stuff to work through!

KsChacher. I have never come across any vent workshops. As an 11 year old i was lucky to be coached by an old time, retired Vent in my home town. Am talking 1945 time! The real work has to be done by YOU on your own. There is a lot of poor information about but I would recommend you buy
Ventriloquism by Kevin Davie. £6 from Magic Books By Post.
The DEFINITIVE book The ABC of Ventriloquism by Douglas Craggs was published in 1944 (on wartime paper) My dad bought it for me from Davenports, and only this year a second hand book finder obtained the revised hardback published in 1966 for me. Both of these books deal with the labials; the difficult letters, B.M.P.V.W. in the correct way with illustrations. Far better information than any others
Other books usually give you an artificial way of SUBSTITUTION sounds. Ignore these. There is a DVD just come out called Talk Like A Dummy by BOB Rumba, if you want to see how it all works. He too uses substitutions. Ignore this advice.I've not watched it all yet but it's worth a look. JB Magic has it and Merlins.
There is a new book out last year by Trevor Burch, the secretary of the British Vents. Assoc. (e mail Burch@vent.fsnet.co.uk or write to Willow Cottage, 110 Davids Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield, Derbys. S4 6TS
Tel. 01246 270653. I've not yet read it. Trevor is a very experienced vent. Any further info or if you wish to discuss anything I can be reached at
allen@tipton27.wanadoo.co.uk
Allen Tipton

Hi Kelly

Allen Mentioned the Trevor Burch book. In my opinion, it is one of the better ones. It talks you through making the sounds correctly. Plus it is full of many very helpful things, all based on Trevors many years of experience as a professional Ventriloquist.
Also, there are loads of Videos / books etc. Everyone has their own opinions on what is best. There is no substitue for getting down to practicing it for yourself though.

Some great free advice can be found by linking here http://www.axtell.com/ventins.html

Please contact Trevor Burch. He should be able to put you in contact with Len Belmont, a London based ventriloquist. He's always trying to get memebrs of the British Association of Ventriloquists to meet up there.
You may wish to consider joining the B.A.V. I did, and now at least I don't feel like I'm one of the only people in the UK doing vent - Through joining, I discovered that there was at least 50 of us

Also, check out http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic6052.p ... riloquists
you may find the posts there already answer some of your next questions.

If I can be of any further help, please ask

Here is a video series I'm creating on "How to do Ventriloquism"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yKkAf6mVsI

My Christmas present to you.