A Gorey Inspired Puppet

My husband Bill Campbell likes to surprise me each year with an Edward Gorey inspired toy that he makes by hand. With the publication of Carol Verburg's Gorey/Theater book, Bill began working on a hand puppet based on the actors Gorey created for his Le Théâtricule stoïque puppet troupe.

Bill was working towards completing a puppet in time for our Thanksgiving anniversary, but moved things up when I was asked to participate in Carol's October 15th book launch party. With only photos of Edward Gorey's original puppets as reference, Bill sculpted a head and then sewed several practice bodies in plain cloth until he felt he had gotten the proportions correct. He then used a "Gorey appropriate" cloth and sewed the final body. The addition of a parasol made from antique lace completed the figure.

Since none of Edward Gorey's original puppet actors were available to attend the book launch, Bill's understudy puppet was displayed. After her star turn at the event, our Lady With A Lace Parasol has taken up residence in a Chinese Urn in a corner of our dining room.

Everyone knows that actors will perform at a moments notice and our Lady With A Lace Parasol is the consummate understudy, always angling for her turn in the spotlight. Here she is, performing to Absinthe Frappé by Victor Herbert. Written in 1904 for It Happened In Nordland, the tune is played on our antique 1910 Regina music box.

Theatrical Book Launch Event

On Tuesday October 15th Carol Verburg's soon to become a classic book on Edward Gorey's theater career was launched with a book signing event at Big Hill Books in Minneapolis. It was an honor to be Carol's featured guest at the event.

Carol and I discussed Edward Gorey's life long fascination with theater work beginning with his first Christmas concert set design at the Francis Parker School in Chicago, his work with The Poets Theater while attending Harvard University, his enormous success with Dracula on the Cape and on Broadway, and finally to his "entertainments" in the 1990's on the Cape. The talk was illustrated with several pieces of original set design artwork by Mr. Gorey from my personal collection.

After the talk, those that attended were able to purchase the new book and have it personally signed by Carol. The evening was a huge success and was the first of several book launch events across the country that Carol will be attending.

For those who were not in attendance, here are excerpts from our presentation on The Theatrical Adventures of Edward Gorey.

Goreyana Anniversary

It is always a shock to realize that yet another year of sharing stories and events about the life and works of Edward Gorey has flown by. 

As Goreyana turns 16 and begins its 17th year, we are pleased to announce that Irwin Terry will be joining author Carol Verburg at her first book launch event to celebrate the publication of her book The Theatrical Adventures of Edward Gorey on Tuesday October 15th at Big Hill Books in Minneapolis. 

In addition to hearing Carol talk about her professional theatrical experiences and personal friendship with Edward Gorey, several pieces of never before displayed original theater set designs from Irwin Terry's collection that are featured in the book will be on display at the event.

The event will take place at Big Hill Books, 405 Penn Avenue South in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Tuesday October 15th from 7 - 8pm.