In this sophsticated and compelling introduction to puppet theatre Penny Francis offers engaging contemporary perspectives on this theatre craft. She provides an account of puppetry's difficult facets, from its demands and techniques, through its uses and abuses, to its history and philosophy. Now recognised as a valuable and powerful medium used in the making of most forms of theatre and filmed work, those referring to "Puppetry" will discover something of the roots, dramaturgy, literature and technique of this visual art form. The weakest sections of the book are on related arts (masks, automata and ventriloquism) and puppetry enthusiasts seeking a reader to direct them to other puppetry organisations and networks (The British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild, Puppeteers UK, The Punch & Judy Fellowship, Puppeteers of America etc) and dedicated spaces/centres will find this information strangely absent. Equally there is little consideration given to the economic infrastructure (funding and finance) of the artform both national and international and no practical advice on starting a puppet company. However, these gaps aside, the book gathers together material from an international selection of resources bringing puppet theatre to life for the student, practitioner and amateur alike. Paperback. 23 b/w photos. 2 b/w prints. pp.192